Is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Really a Christmas Film?

Every December, the same old debate pops up: what exactly makes a film a Christmas classic? While some punters get stuck into the ‘Die Hard’ argument, there’s another flick that quietly slips under the radar—Frank Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. It’s widely seen as the ultimate festive film, but if you sit down and watch it, you might be surprised by how little of the story actually revolves around the holiday season.

On my first viewing, I was struck by how late the so-called Christmas magic arrives. James Stewart’s George Bailey doesn’t even cross paths with Clarence, the slightly hopeless angel played by Henry Carter, until nearly three-quarters of the way through. The whole ‘I wish I’d never been born’ business only kicks off after more than an hour and a half. For most of the film, Christmas is nowhere to be seen. Instead, we’re following George’s life in Bedford Falls, watching him miss out on his dreams time and again, which is a far cry from the original story that inspired the film—basically just the final act.

Christmas or Not? The Heart of the Story

When you look at it, the plot could have unfolded at any time of year. George’s crisis on the bridge isn’t especially festive—apart from the snow, there’s not much to tie it to December. Swap out Christmas for Easter, Halloween, or even Arbour Day, and the story would still work. The film’s links to the holiday are pretty thin, if we’re being honest.

Yet, despite the lack of tinsel and carols for most of the runtime, the film is packed with the kind of values we like to think are at the heart of Christmas. George Bailey is the sort of bloke who’s generous to a fault, always putting others first, and never expecting anything in return. He’s basically the living, breathing version of the ‘Christmas spirit’—the kind of person you’d want as a mate, no matter the time of year.

Capturing the Festive Spirit

Christmas is meant to be a time of big feelings—highs and lows, joy and heartbreak. That’s what makes the ending of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ hit so hard. Before his big realisation, George is at rock bottom. But when the locals rally round, chipping in to help him and his family, it’s one of the purest, most uplifting moments you’ll see on screen. It’s like every Christmas present you’ve ever wanted, all at once. That scene, with everyone belting out ‘Auld Lang Syne’, sums up what we love about the season better than most films that try to be ‘about’ Christmas.

If you want to get technical, you could argue that ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ doesn’t really fit the bill as a Christmas film. There’s just not enough festive content, and the actual connection to the holiday is pretty flimsy. But try watching that final scene without feeling a bit of the Christmas magic—go on, I dare you.