Movie
Where to Watch It's a Wonderful Life (1946) in the US
- 1946
- PG
- 2h 10m
- 8.6IMDb
- 94%Rotten Tomatoes
- 89Metascore
It's a Wonderful Life is available with a subscription, free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States.
Subscription
Free with ads
Free with a library card
Rent
- Apple TV StoreSD131 minPGAudioEnglish · French$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Apple TV StoreHD131 minPGAudioEnglish · French$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Apple TV Store4K131 minPGAudioEnglish · French$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Prime VideoSD131 minPGAudioGerman · English +6$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Prime VideoHD131 minPGAudioGerman · English +6$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Prime Video4K131 minPGAudioGerman · English +6$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Fandango at HomeSD131 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Fandango at HomeHD131 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Fandango at Home4K131 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
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Availability last checked Oct 8, 2026.
Report a wrong listingAvailability
- Watch the movie with a subscription on Prime Video (4K).
- Watch the movie free with ads on Free Movies Plus and The Roku Channel (HD).
- Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Fawesome (HD) and hoopla.
- Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
What it's about
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born.
Cast and crew
- Director
- Frank Capra
- Starring
- James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Details
- Release date
- Jan 7, 1947
- Language
- English, French
- Country
- United States
- Box office
- $1,483,643
- Awards
- Nominated for 5 Oscars. 11 wins & 7 nominations total
Where to Watch It's a Wonderful Life (1946) in the US — common questions
- Where to watch It's a Wonderful Life in the United States?
- It's a Wonderful Life is available with a subscription, free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on Prime Video (4K). Watch the movie free with ads on Free Movies Plus and The Roku Channel (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Fawesome (HD) and hoopla. Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
- Can I stream It's a Wonderful Life or do I have to rent it in the United States?
- Watch the movie with a subscription on Prime Video (4K). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
- Can I watch It's a Wonderful Life for free in the United States?
- Watch the movie free with ads on Free Movies Plus and The Roku Channel (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Fawesome (HD) and hoopla.
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