It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Movie Summary

George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all of his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide?

It’s a Wonderful Life was originally released in theaters December 20, 1946.

Where can I watch It’s a Wonderful Life online?

It’s a Wonderful Life is available to stream from the following providers:

Stream on Amazon

Is It’s a Wonderful Life available to buy on DVD?

Yes


Buy on DVD

When will It’s a Wonderful Life air on TV in 2024?

Not airing this week

Year Released

1946

Cast Includes

James Stewart (George Bailey), Donna Reed (Mary Hatch), Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy), Henry Travers (Clarence), Beulah Bondi (Mrs. Bailey), Ward Bond (Bert), Frank Faylen (Ernie), Gloria Grahame (Violet), Todd Karns (Harry Bailey)

Rate Movie:

4.4/5 - (25 votes)

It’s a Wonderful Life Movie Trailer

Affiliate Disclosure: Please note – we do use affiliate links on this site. This means we might earn a small commission if you click on a link and/or buy something. Both the product links and ads displayed help pay to keep this website running so that I can continue to offer schedule updates.
Thank you very much for your support (and for tolerating the ads) - I appreciate it!

26 thoughts on “It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

  • December 19, 2016 at 2:09 PM
    Permalink

    I remember one year you could see this wonderful movie all day and thru the night Christmas Eve – now that was a bit overkill, but I still have to see it each year. Was wondering why I hadn’t seen it yet this year and now I know why. I didn’t realize nbc snatched it then stifled it.

    Maybe they’re bringing back that excitement of anticipation when you had to plan and set aside that special time for that once a year special event. I still remember looking forward to The Wizard of Oz each year. Popcorn, root beer floats and the whole family together in the living room to watch this movie. There were no vhs or DVD’s then and that made it just that much more special.
    Do I own these classics? Yes. But there’s nothing like planning a family night in front of the tv for that once a year special movie. Such anticipation!

    Reply
    • December 19, 2016 at 2:10 PM
      Permalink

      I wonder who has White Christmas and Holiday Inn. Haven’t seen those yet this year.

      Reply
      • December 20, 2018 at 8:43 PM
        Permalink

        Watch it every year havent seen it this year cause I cant find it. Guess I will have to buy it

        Reply
  • December 26, 2015 at 9:13 AM
    Permalink

    I BELIEVE IT’S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A WHILE OR A FEW YEARS NOW LATELY. MAYBE A DECADE OR MORE. I CAN’T RECALL, FOR MISSED LAST FEW YEARS. DEPRESSED & TIRED OF IT. NOW FEEL BAD FOR WHEN ITS GONE IS GONE SO I APPRECIATE IT MUCH AGAIN. I ACTUALLY FELT BAD OF MY THOUGHTS THEN TOO. I WILL JUST GET THE DVD TO MAKE UP FOR IT,CUZ NOT WAITING TOLL NEXT YEAR TILL AIRS ON TV.YES IT’S MORE FUN,BUT ALSO COMMERCIALS CAN BE A PAIN,BUT IT LEAVES U IN SUSPENSE WHEN WHEN HE IS AT THE BRIDGE,ETC IF U KNOW WHAT I MEAN. IT MAKES IT COOL,BUT OH WELL. I RATHER HAVE DVD EXTRAS IF ANY & ALK FILMS MARATHON & OWN THEM. NO MORE PUTTING IT OFF OR WAITING ! ! ! LOL

    Reply
  • December 26, 2015 at 9:02 AM
    Permalink

    YEAH I DIDN’T FEEL WELL & WENT TO SLEEP & IT SUCKS ! ! ! A FEW YEARS NOT SEEN IT NOW. MISS IT NOW. THEY SHOULD REPEAT ON SEVERAL STATIONS & ABC MY #1TOP FAVE. IT SHOULD BE ON ON THE 30TH THEN ON THE 1ST IN EVENING PRIME TIME IF IT THERE ISN’T OTHER NEW SPECIALS ON & CHARLIE BROWN,WHITE CHRISTMAS,& JUST ALL THE CLASSICS MARATHON. I THINK I WILL HUNT FOR & BUY ALL NEXT YEAR,CUZ THIS IS RIDICULOUS ! ! ! TRYING TO MAKE IT SECULAR & POLITICALLY CORRECT & SLOWLY,BUT SURELY PHASING OUT GOD TO WHERE NEW GENERATION BORN NOT KNOW ABOUT JESUS GOD,ANGELS,ONLY MAYBE NEW AGE ANGELS PERHAPS THAT ARE REALLY DEMONS. ALL SATAN SATANIC WORSHIPPING.

    Reply
    • November 10, 2019 at 12:18 PM
      Permalink

      This is my favorite movie of all time. God is in it showing his goodness and how we should live as he meant us to treat each other. I thank God that I stll know what God expects of us as christians.

      Reply
  • December 25, 2014 at 10:14 AM
    Permalink

    It’s a wonderful life is the greatest movie ever made , there is nothing that compares and nbc should be. Banned from TV and will be from mine for not airing it at least once a day in December, just another sign this country has gone to the dogs , wake up idiots

    Reply
  • December 20, 2014 at 6:23 PM
    Permalink

    Its on right now …started at 5pm est and will start again at 1 am est on USA network

    Reply
  • December 15, 2014 at 9:08 AM
    Permalink

    Looks like it was on 12/6 and 12/14 on USA and black and white then later in color on USA the morning of the 15th. It’s on once again on NBC 12/24 at 8pm. e

    Reply
  • December 6, 2014 at 8:46 AM
    Permalink

    Just noticed that USA is having It’s A Wonderful Life scheduled for 8 pm December 14, 2014. Wonder if this is correct since NBC supposedly holds the rights. Anybody know?

    Reply
    • December 6, 2014 at 11:42 PM
      Permalink

      You are correct, they do have it on schedule to air that night. NBC owns USA Network so maybe they decided to air it on that channel as well this year. Awesome!

      Reply
    • November 13, 2018 at 12:15 PM
      Permalink

      it’s also showing on the 24th November on USA

      Reply
  • December 3, 2014 at 11:38 AM
    Permalink

    I love all the old movies
    Bells of St. Mary’s
    It’s a wonderful life
    The Bishops’ wife
    all the Bing Crosby x-mss movies
    Pocket full of Miracles
    it’s that time of year and we should keep traditions
    thank you

    Reply
  • November 24, 2014 at 7:01 PM
    Permalink

    Why is a Wonderful Life only being shown once this year. I would love to see The Bells of St. Frances.

    Reply
    • December 5, 2014 at 5:52 PM
      Permalink

      It’s a Wonderful Life is only shown 1 time because NBC owns the rights now!

      Reply
      • December 4, 2015 at 8:48 PM
        Permalink

        That stinks it is such a great holiday movie

        Reply
        • December 5, 2015 at 7:03 PM
          Permalink

          Actually NBC plays the show twice a year now, it will be on tonite at 7 pm central time and again on Christmas eve……

          Merry Xmas!

          Reply
      • December 23, 2015 at 1:33 PM
        Permalink

        That’s ridiculous!!!
        How stingy where is their Christmas Spirit! …or did the P.C. Police take that along with their integrity?

        Reply
        • December 24, 2015 at 7:37 PM
          Permalink

          Is snow overrated at Christmas?

          Reply
      • December 25, 2015 at 4:07 PM
        Permalink

        Did you mean St. Mary’s?

        Reply
        • January 18, 2016 at 8:32 PM
          Permalink

          I see what you did there, very smooth….

          Reply
    • December 5, 2014 at 5:55 PM
      Permalink

      NBC owns the rights to the movie. That’s why it can only be seen on tv once.

      Reply
Commenting Rules: Please note, this is not a website that censors speech. Whether you love a movie/tv schedule or hate it, you are free to share your honest, tactful opinion. The only posts that get deleted are those that attack/insult other commenters for having a different opinion.

Leave a Reply to Me Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Available for Amazon Prime