A Christmas Story
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 54
  3. Negative: 1 out of 54

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  1. Tss5078
    Feb 23, 2013
    8
    How many times do you watch it on Christmas? This movie certainly is a classic. I'm a sucker for flashback films told by a narrator and this is perhaps a primary example of these films. For those of you living under a rock and unfamiliar with this film, it's about a little boy named Ralphie and what he wants for Christmas. The cast is fantastic and it's hilarious without being raunchy. This is how comedies used to be and some would argue should be. No doubt this film is great, but what most people don't know is that there is actually a sequel, with the same narrator, made 11 years later. My Summer Story follows Ralphie and his family the following summer and while the cast is different, the story is equally as good. I'd suggest you check out both films and be careful not to shoot your eye out kid!… Collapse
  2. seancriswell
    Dec 25, 2012
    10
    A perfect Christmas movie, if not a perfect film. This is one of the movies that you revisit every year, and is a joy to do so. A joy to talk about with friends, and a joy to recite your favorite lines. This is one of those movies where when the next scene pops up you think, oh yeah I have been waiting for this part, just delightful throughout. I love the narration in this film, the poetry of of the narration against the story of this young man adds humor in almost every scene. There are also many great tender moments in this comedy. Ralphie's moment with his mom after beating up the bully, and his father giving him the bb gun at the end are my two favorite. I look forward to watching this movie every year, I hope TBS never ends there 24 hours of A Christmas Story.… Expand
  3. WriteFilmLive21
    Dec 23, 2012
    7
    "A Christmas Story" is perhaps one of the more widely-beloved and classic holiday films, and it certainly deserves the attention. Following the (mis)adventures of 12-year-old Ralphie on his eternal quest to get a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas, this is a heartwarming and pleasant movie with good acting, fun narration and great comedy. And, like many iconic holiday films, it has plenty of oddball identity, including a decidedly less-than-jolly mall Santa Claus. Not necessarily one of my must-have seasonal viewings, but you certainly can't go more than a couple of years without visiting it again.… Expand
  4. Compi24
    Nov 28, 2012
    10
    Nostalgic, enduring, farcical, and near-perfect, "A Christmas Story" is a story so relatable and affecting that the film has become a tradition in and of itself.
  5. EnzoP.
    Jul 18, 2009
    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.… Expand
  6. SonyaW.
    Dec 19, 2008
    10
    This is my favorite all time Christmas holiday movie of all times.
  7. ChristinaD.
    Dec 18, 2008
    9
    I like " It's A Wonderful Life"better though.
  8. JackE.
    Dec 13, 2008
    10
    This movie ia classic such a claasic that the original house was bought and put back in the original setting up to the Foot light. I always injoy it every time I watch it.
  9. JamesE.
    Dec 24, 2007
    10
    This is by all accounts a classic holiday movie. Funny from beginning to end at any time of the year!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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