Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street

Movie spotlight

Miracle on 34th Street

1947
Movie
96 min
English

Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.

Insights

IMDb7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Metacritic95
Google Users94%
Director: George SeatonGenres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Plot Summary

During the Christmas season in New York City, a kindly, white-bearded man calling himself Kris Kringle is hired to play Santa Claus at Macy's department store. When he claims to be the real Santa Claus, his sanity is questioned, leading to a dramatic court case. The film follows his quest to prove his identity and spread the true spirit of Christmas throughout the city.

Critical Reception

Miracle on 34th Street is widely considered a beloved holiday classic, praised for its heartwarming story, strong performances, and enduring message about faith and the Christmas spirit. It was a critical and commercial success upon its release and has remained a perennial favorite for audiences of all ages.

What Reviewers Say

  • A charming and timeless holiday film that perfectly captures the magic of Christmas.

  • Edmund Gwenn delivers an unforgettable performance as Kris Kringle.

  • The film's message of faith and goodwill resonates deeply, making it a modern classic.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise the film for its heartwarming story, emotional impact, and its ability to evoke the true spirit of Christmas. Many viewers find it to be an essential part of their holiday viewing tradition.

Awards & Accolades

Won 4 Academy Awards including Best Actor (Edmund Gwenn), Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, and nominated for Best Picture.

Fun Fact

The film was shot during the actual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City to capture authentic footage of the parade and the crowd's reaction.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I suppose if anyone was ever to play the definitive Santa Claus, then it would have had to be Edmund Gwenn. The glint in his eye, the smile and the avuncular look all lends itself so very well to this tale of the Christmas nay-sayers! Set i...

Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

This is one of the classic holiday pics I will watch every year if it is available to me (Oh no; he said “holiday” instead of Christmas. Blasphemy!) So I will neither pick it apart nor praise it to the heavens. The story writing is strong a...