Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
A Christmas Story
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
view
per page
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    100
    The cast is wonderful--especially McGavin, Billingsley and Petrella--the laughs are nonstop if rarely subtle, and the whole thing deserves to become a Christmastime classic.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    100
    In short, A Christmas Story isn't just about Christmas; it's about childhood and it recaptures a time and place with love and wonder. It seems an instant classic, a film that will give pleasure to people not only this Christmas, but for many Christmases to come. [19 Nov 1983, p.1]
    All this critic's reviews
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    100
    The affection audiences feel for A Christmas Story is related to the holiday spirit, yes, but specifically to Clark and Shepherd's awareness of how the true meaning of Christmas manifests in the real world, where a warm meal on a cold, dark day-and a surprising moment of parental grace-can ease a troubled mind.
  4. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    It's those moments and others and the way they are tied together by Shepherd's tongue-in-cheek narration that cements A Christmas Story as one of those rare must-see holiday movies, even for those who don't celebrate Christmas.
  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    It is pitch-perfect, telling the story through the enthusiastic and single-minded vision of its hero Ralphie, and finding in young Peter Billingsley a sly combination of innocence and calculation.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    60
    Though Mr. Billingsley, Mr. Gavin, Miss Dillon and the actress who plays Ralphie's school teacher are all very able, they are less funny than actors in a television situation comedy that one has chosen to watch with the sound turned off.
  7. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    60
    Director Bob Clark teamed with nostalgic humorist Jean Shepherd for this squeaky clean and often quite funny 1983 yuletide comedy, adapted from Shepherd's novel In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.
  8. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Stephen Godfrey
    50
    Needless to say, what's refreshing about A Christmas Story is subversive to the sepia-toned and loving references to the forties which director Bob Clark has provided for the film. The fictional Parker family that Shepherd has written about for 20 years is not as gentle or gauzy as they first appear. It's possible to imagine them so preoccupied with their own problems, whether dealing with the neighbor's dogs or winning a mail- order contest, that they could forget Christmas altogether. [25 Nov 1983, p.E5]
    All this publication's reviews
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. EnzoP.
    8
    A Christmas Story is fun throughout the entire film. The best christmas movie I have ever seen. To bad its only ninety-eight minutes I didn't want it to end. But I thought that it had to much narrative speaking the actors barely said anything, it was as if it was a documentary. The whole thing is someone speaking no acting. To add to that this movie was one of those films when you know what the ending is going to be. So that makes no thrill to the ending. Now lets talk about what the movie is about. Ralph is a down on his luck 9 year old boy that only has one wish. To get the Red Ryder 200-Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. But everybody says that 'You'll shoot your eye out.' Even his teacher and (fake) Santa Claus. So after all I wrote my advice to you is SEE IT.… Full Review »
  2. SonyaW.
    10
    This is my favorite all time Christmas holiday movie of all times.
  3. ChristinaD.
    9
    I like " It's A Wonderful Life"better though.
See all user reviews »