It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
0.3263Canon Score · ranked #36 all time
Aggregated from 14 of 31 authoritative lists, weighted by authority and adjusted for each list's scope and age. How scoring works →
About the film
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
Why it ranks #36
Every list on which It's a Wonderful Life appears, with its position as published.
| List | Authority | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment Weekly 100 (2013) | Editorial list | #6 / 87 |
| Variety 100 Greatest (2022) | Critics' canon | #8 / 100 |
| Total Film 100 Greatest (2005) | Editorial list | #15 / 100 |
| Village Voice 100 Best of 20th C (2000) | Critics' canon | #16 / 100 |
| Letterboxd Top 500 (2026-07 snapshot) | Editorial list | #40 / 500 |
| Empire 100 Best (2025) | Editorial list | #47 / 100 |
| Cahiers du Cinéma 100 (2008) | Major international poll | #62 / 100 |
| Halliwell's Top 1000 (2005) | Critics' canon | #129 / 1041 |
| Sight & Sound Critics' 250 (2022) | Major international poll | #135 / 264 |
| Empire 500 Greatest (2008) | Editorial list | #195 / 500 |
| Ebert Great Movies (I–IV) | Critics' canon | Selected |
| 1001 Movies (2003-2024 union) | Critics' canon | Selected |
| NYT Best 1000 Movies (2004) | Critics' canon | Selected |
| TIME All-TIME 100 (2005) | Editorial list | Selected |