Miracle on 34th Street

Name: Miracle on 34th Street
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: June 4, 1947
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 88
Cast: Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart, Jack Albertson, Jerome Cowan, John Payne

1947

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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Miracle On 34th Street

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: June 4, 1947 | TV-G

Starring: Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart, Jack Albertson, Jerome Cowan, John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, Philip Tonge, Porter Hall, William Frawley

Summary: When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

Director: George Seaton

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: TV-G

Runtime: 96 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kate Cameron

It is light, it is charming, it is delightfully funny and completely captivating. It is all that, and something more. It has an undefinable spiritual quality that raises the spirits of the beholder into a happy, hopeful mood. Read full review

Noel Murray

In the battle of the classic Hollywood Christmas movies, It's A Wonderful Life feels charmingly ancient, fixed in an early-20th-century America that scarcely anyone today remembers first-hand. Miracle On 34th Street feels more modern, with slangy dialogue and naturalistic asides, and a general awareness of how Christmas has become about the intertwined stresses of shopping and selling. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The original (and best) version of the cockle-warming tale of a man who claims to be the real-life Santa Claus. Read full review

John Hartl

Christmas classic. [06 Nov 1997]

Michael Wilmington

A Christmas season evergreen. Read full review

Dave Kehr

It's a highly professional piece of Hollywood sentimentalism. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

A touch labored but lovable. Read full review

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Mar 28, 2022

I will admit it, I may be biased. I love Christmas movies, such as Scrooge, It's A Wonderful Life, Muppet Christmas Carol and the first two Home Alone movies. But really your Christmas is incomplete without the original Miracle on 34th Street, which is quite simply a timeless ChristmasI will admit it, I may be biased. I love Christmas movies, such as Scrooge, It's A Wonderful Life, Muppet Christmas Carol and the first two Home Alone movies. But really your Christmas is incomplete without the original Miracle on 34th Street, which is quite simply a timeless Christmas treasure. It is magical, imaginative and in some ways witty as well. The simple but effective and sparkling plot tells of a man believing himself as Santa is institutionalised for being insane, but sets out to prove he is the genuine article. The screenplay is lovely, spirited and pleasant, maybe it needed to be a little more snappy in places but compared to how wonderful the film was I am past caring. The cinematography and scenery are fabulous, the whole film is stunning to watch, and the music is gorgeous. And the acting, one word superb! As Kris Kringle, Edmund Gwenn is just marvellous. He positively twinkles in the role, and did he deserve the Oscar win for best supporting actor. Why am I asking that, of course he did. Maureen O'Hara, who was a stunning actress is so lovely as Doris, and as Fred John Payne also shines. And Natalie Wood is believable and absolutely adorable as Susan. What makes this movie though is that it teaches great morals, without preaching. All in all, a truly great film, that made me believe in Santa. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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