Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Adriel L

  
  Wholeheartedly smart, funny and hopeful, it never ceased to bring smiles for one must agree, even the most grounded sort, the age old truth and wisdom that belies it's wonderfully crafted and surprisingly complex, intriguing and delightful story and dialogue. To captivate the… More
  Wholeheartedly smart, funny and hopeful, it never ceased to bring smiles for one must agree, even the most grounded sort, the age old truth and wisdom that belies it's wonderfully crafted and surprisingly complex, intriguing and delightful story and dialogue. To captivate the generations of the true of heart, it succeeds in its purity, depth, charms and all that sentimentality that everyone needs.

• Daniel P

  
  After being subjected to the remake in elementary school, I did not have high hopes for this classic, but when I stumbled upon it this holiday season I was simply blown away. Stop and think for a second: this is one of the most original films ever made. The conceit in itself is what… More
  After being subjected to the remake in elementary school, I did not have high hopes for this classic, but when I stumbled upon it this holiday season I was simply blown away. Stop and think for a second: this is one of the most original films ever made. The conceit in itself is what makes this film stand the test of time, and its charm can make a believer of anyone. Take the workaday New York of the late forties, and through Santa Claus - no, really, that's him! - into it. Genius. What may have surprised me most was how soon after the Second World War this film came; I wouldn't expect this indictment of materialism on the heels of victory. A masterpiece fit for the whole family, one I may just watch every year from now on.

• Zach B

  
  The one thing that has shocked me to no end about this movie was just how complex it really was. You have this old man that claims to be Santa Claus, a corruption of Capitalism, and then you have a mother that is trying to shelter her daughter from the world of fantasy, seeing as how… More
  The one thing that has shocked me to no end about this movie was just how complex it really was. You have this old man that claims to be Santa Claus, a corruption of Capitalism, and then you have a mother that is trying to shelter her daughter from the world of fantasy, seeing as how it is pointless. Then, of course, you have one of the greatest court scenes that involves one simple argument: Who is the real St. Nick? This film, after seeing it, does stand the test of time as being the all time greatest Christmas films. In terms of acting, the main thing to look for is Edmund Gwenn's powerful performance as Kris Kringle/ Santa Clause. I am in awe at how he portrayed this character and in such away that he could have been the real man himself. The script, I am afraid, could have been a tad bit wittier. It does have some moments that are wonderful, and then some that just fall short. The score, made up of mostly Christmas songs, finally treat them with the respect and delicacy that they deserve after years of people remaking and tarnishing them. Now, there is one scene in this film that, in my opinion, sums up the wonder completely: Imagine the character Kris Kringle playing himself in a department store, having kids on his lap telling him what they want for Christmas. In walks this adopted Dutch girl that can not speak any English. After being told of her problem, Kris starts speaking Dutch beyond fluent and there is a moment of pure happiness on the little girl's face and her adoptive mothers. And, that is the true magic of this film: Being able to create a sense of happiness that transients off of the screen.

• Bently L

  
  Christmas Movie Review Mania Episode #11: Miracle on 34th Street This is a wonderful and cute movie. The story and moral are brilliant and the acting is great. The little girls is so enjoyable and so is Santa. I recommend this one if you haven't seen it. Great Christmas… More
  Christmas Movie Review Mania Episode #11: Miracle on 34th Street This is a wonderful and cute movie. The story and moral are brilliant and the acting is great. The little girls is so enjoyable and so is Santa. I recommend this one if you haven't seen it. Great Christmas movie! "That dosen't make me Joan of Arc."

• Cassie H

  
  A must see movie for Christmas about the true & beautiful story of Kris Kringle & how with the help of friends, people will believe that he is Santa Claus. A magnificent film & I have to confess that I do believe in Santa Claus :) A great holiday film classic :)

• AJ V

  
  An interesting Christmas movie, I saw it as a kid and wasn't too impressed, but maybe I should see it again as an adult.

• Randy T

  
  One of my all time favorite movie moments is when Kris (Ed Gwenn) is teaching young Susan (Natalie Wood) how to act like a monkey. <div style="width:400px;"><a… More
  One of my all time favorite movie moments is when Kris (Ed Gwenn) is teaching young Susan (Natalie Wood) how to act like a monkey. <div style="width:400px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/edmund-gwenn-miracle-on-34th-street1947-miracle-on-34th-street-13089082"><img src="http://content8.flixster.com/photo/13/08/90/13089082_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a></div> Classic.

• Luke B

  
  It avoids any sentimental, schmaltzy rubbish, and goes for a sweet sense of humour that really does aim itself at the child in adults as well as kids themselves. Miracle on 34th Street also manages to be a look at society's perception of sanity, which is a great idea for a… More
  It avoids any sentimental, schmaltzy rubbish, and goes for a sweet sense of humour that really does aim itself at the child in adults as well as kids themselves. Miracle on 34th Street also manages to be a look at society's perception of sanity, which is a great idea for a Christmas film about Santa. The performances are very real and Gwenn is completely believable as Santa. He's a kind soul and manages to avoid the creepiness that usually comes with Santa. It shows us the true meaning of Christmas and faith, but doesn't completely attack the enjoyable commercial side. Just glad it doesn't give a definite answer one way or the other.

• James A

  
  As a cautionary tale for alzhiemers its great. As a movie that tells us logic isnt always the way to go its a lump of dung.

• Jennifer X

  
  Unbelievably cute! I watch this three, four times every Christmas Little Natalie Wood is a sweetheart.

• Lafe F

  
  A classic, done wonderfully. I liked the Santa in this one. The family was great as well.

• Michael G

  
  Christmas is incomplete without watching this film.

• Dann M

  
  Miracle on 34th Street is the greatest Christmas film ever made, and my friend Oscar agrees. It's the most celebrated Christmas film of all time, winning 3 Academy Awards, including one for Santa Claus himself (Edmund Gwenn). The story is brilliantly written and has a… More
  Miracle on 34th Street is the greatest Christmas film ever made, and my friend Oscar agrees. It's the most celebrated Christmas film of all time, winning 3 Academy Awards, including one for Santa Claus himself (Edmund Gwenn). The story is brilliantly written and has a wonderfully charming air about it. Additionally, the performances are exceptional; Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood have a particularly good chemistry which draws the audience into the film. Miracle on 34th Street is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking that's sure to entertain and delight audiences of all ages.

• Cameron J

  
  A fun classic Christmas story, "Miracle on 34th Street", outside of slow points, holds an original and interesting story, strong loveable characters and very high entertainment value. It's a real spirit-lifing Christmas movie masterpiece.

• Danny R

  
  A totally delightful, cherished classic American motion picture that has become synonymous with the celebrating of the Christmas holiday. During the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade their Santa turns up falling down drunk, Doris Walker the Macy's supervisor in charge of the… More
  A totally delightful, cherished classic American motion picture that has become synonymous with the celebrating of the Christmas holiday. During the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade their Santa turns up falling down drunk, Doris Walker the Macy's supervisor in charge of the event played by the beautiful Maureen O'Hara, in a radiant performance reluctantly hires a old cultured gentleman with twinkling eyes and a big snowy beard, played by Edmund Gwenn who delivers a charismatic show-stopping Oscar winning performance that is truly magical and endearing as Kris Kringle, he takes over for the drunk Santa, and becomes an instead hit with the crowds of adults and children, so they hire him to be the Santa at the Macy's flagship department store on 34th street, while working one day he meets Miss Waker's unbelieving daughter Susan played superbly by little Natalie Wood in a amazing performance and becomes determine to make her believe in him. Everything is fine until he comes up against the store's neurotic personnel psychologist superbly played by Porter Hall, who thinks that Kris should be fired because he is crazy believing himself to be Santa Claus. Kris is declared insane and it's up to his friend and lawyer Fred Gailey, played wonderfully by John Payne and Miss Walker and her daughter Susan help him out of this mess. Astute direction by George Seaton with superlative supporting performances by Jerome Cowan, Gene Lockhart, Harry Antrim, Herbert Heyes, William Frawley and Thelma Ritter in her screen debut, but the film belongs completely to Edmund Gwenn and his unforgettable gem of a performance he is a total joy! This is my personal favorite Christmas film. Highly Recommended.

• Deb S

  
  Miracle on 34th Street tells the story of a divorced, cynical, no nonsense Macy's Department Store executive named Doris Walker (Maureen O' Hara), who hires a new Santa Claus for the store. This new employee, who claims his name is Kris Kringle slowly fills the air with… More
  Miracle on 34th Street tells the story of a divorced, cynical, no nonsense Macy's Department Store executive named Doris Walker (Maureen O' Hara), who hires a new Santa Claus for the store. This new employee, who claims his name is Kris Kringle slowly fills the air with holiday spirit that all feel except his boss. Doris's adorable little girl, Susan (whom she has taught to not to believe in Santa and reject all belief in fantasy), begins to wonder whether there might be something to his insistence that he is in fact the real Santa. When Kris is threatened with institutionalization for insanity, Doris's friend, Fred Gailey, a lawyer, is hired to defend his claims, with a highly entertaining court case following. Edmund Gwenn's superb performance as Kris Kringle won him a well-justified Academy Award, and the rest of the cast are also quite good -- including the young Natalie Wood as the little girl who learns to believe in wondrous things, such as Santa Claus. The film is well done with a wonderful story that at times seems a drag but still the themes of hope and belief make the film a timeless classic to watch around the holidays.

• Andrew F

  
  Good, not spectacular. It will probably grow on me.

• Sarah P

  
  A funny Xmas movie which even though is pretty old, still seems current and relevant. Enjoyable!

• Alice S

  
  Show me someone to cumulate in person disinterested kindness, imagination and common sense and I call him anyway he likes ... Santa Claus if like. But the mere fact that we labeled this as a fantasy film shows that such a person does not exist. So all we got left is hope that at… More
  Show me someone to cumulate in person disinterested kindness, imagination and common sense and I call him anyway he likes ... Santa Claus if like. But the mere fact that we labeled this as a fantasy film shows that such a person does not exist. So all we got left is hope that at least Santa does. Some would say that there's an open ending that can suggest both ways. Me, on the other hand, think that it's perfectly clear who did what and how, but it's always easier to wait for someone else to come and do things in our place.

• Erin C

  
  So cute! Wood was a good actress, even as a little girl, and the story was adorable. One of the best Christmas movies for sure!

Read all 20 featured audience ratings