TOP "It's A Wonderful Life Ending" Reactions! It's A Wonderful Life (1946) Movie Reaction

[@RyanM0224]

"No man is a failure who has friends" hits me so much deeper than the rest of this entire movie. As someone who struggles to make friends, the few close friends I do have make this line hit that much harder for me

[@toddjones1480]

@@RyanM0224 It hits a little different when you run out of friends.

[@James-ll3jb]

Understood

[@Sw4de]

Jimmy Stewart, a scholar, a soldier, an actor but most important of all, a wonderful human being

[@Alex-gr8lv]

The line "To my big brother George the richest man in town" always breaks me

[@CJ87317]

That's the line. I'm usually teary eyed before that, but afterward I'm straight up bawling.

[@Alex-gr8lv]

Every time. I start feeling the tears come when George says Harry's name and I know the line is coming. I have watched the movie every year multiple times since I was 5--I am 48 never have I made it without crying and I am NOT a crier except for this movie

[@spartyman7]

@@Alex-gr8lv I cry during Alastair Sim's "Scrooge" Christmas morning scene. It's perfection.

[@Divamarja_CA]

The simple catch in Harry’s voice at the end is a small yet potent component to my endless and flowing tears.

[@LordEagle]

💥💥💥😭😭😭😭😭😭👍

[@horrorcide13]

George never got to build those buildings he wanted but he built something more priceless. Community and everlasting bonds. ❤

[@mikeyt3784]

If you don't at least get teary eyed watching the ending of this movie, you might be a sociopath...

[@JoeBuck207]

Watching people watch a movie makes you a loser

[@TylerD288]

Agreed.

[@JoyfulRacoon-df2gl]

If you don't shed a tear, you need your head and heart examined.

[@cypher515]

Quite possibly... Jen Murray _never_ cries at anything with two or three exceptions, that's just who she is of course, and in her video that dropped, I think actually today, those eyes did get a little bit redder between the end of the movie and the recap.

[@turanserce2344]

😂😂😂😂 good

[@ceasj23]

My #1 favorite movie ever made, I try to watch it every Christmas. Its the path of life, ups and downs and the Miracle of everyone helping one another...the world misses that, and I love the old times.

[@MRImage1987]

Same here.

[@farmtan]

This scene hits hard. All most of us really want is love and respect. Money sometimes blinds us to what really matters.

[@mf_rat]

And to be appreciated. George felt all his life that he was working hard and had nothing to show for it, until everyone who helped him showed up at once.

[@Plants28]

Dang. When you get older, it hits so much differently. I used to smile at the ending. Now im crying 😂

[@TJNC1976]

This was my mom's favorite Christmas movie . My mom passed away in 06 . I make it a point to watch this on Christmas Eve every year to keep her memory alive . It's hard not to shed any tears at the ending

[@josephhein9497]

My mother passed away two years ago and this was also one of her favorites. Like, you, I see it every year and I will always think of her while watching it for the rest of my life.

[@spartyman7]

This film touches us because it takes us all to a place where we want to be, full of community and friends and love. We don't always realize that it's all very close to us. The important things get lost. This is one of the greatest films ever made not only because of the message, but the incredible performances. Donna Reed at the end is perfection. Her reaction, her emotion...I lost it.

[@ralphangioli4852]

What’s amazing is It’s A Wonderful Life wasn’t originally released as a Christmas film. It was I believe first released in theaters in the month of April and did just okay at the box office with a mix of good and bad reviews by the then film critics. It wasn’t until they started showing it on TV at Christmas that it found it’s audience and was recognized as a Christmas classic.

[@milescoburn1845]

Just as a point of reference, Sam advancing George $ 25,000 in 1946 translates to $404,478 (rounded) today. Sam, and the rest of the town came through big. This is one of my favorite movies, not just Christmas movies.

[@Will-fk2dk]

Beat me to it by 15 minutes!! HeeHaw indeed, Sam Wainright!!! HeeHaw indeed!

[@stephengamber7000]

Thanks - I was wondering was the inflation adjusted number for 2024 is. That means the lost $8,000 in 1946 is equivalent to $117,000 today in 2024

[@IsraelBenitez-ev7mj]

@@milescoburn1845 so he advanced George 3x what he needed

[@TBoring]

What I love about this is Sam heard George needed money and wired him that $25,000 no questions asked.

[@pencilnecked1579]

@@TBoring And it makes sense too since George was the one who gave Sam the idea for making the plastics that made Sam wealthy and clued him into having his father buy an old factory in Bedford Falls for cheap to be the production plant. Unfortunately so many reactors judge Sam poorly before the telegram at the end but Sam was always a good friend who was always looking out for George too, even telling George he should invest with Sam's company and offering him a job.

[@sannakarppinen4163]

There is a great imagenary in the end . Mr Potter who was mran and evil is now sitting all alone , but George Bailey who was good and kind to everybody his house is full of people who loves him and cares for him and he is not alone.

[@El_Bueno]

I don’t know how anybody can resist crying. This ending is one of the best ever.

[@1237barca]

1:13 facts. It is the best. I prefer movies with action but this tops them all with sheer humanity and quality. Best movie ever made.

[@ironfae]

Anyone who cries for this movie is another life touched by George Bailey.

[@Rick_Foley]

The hero returns to just about where he started. The villain remains where he always was. Yet this hero's arc is perfection.

[@OHsopositive]

Every time I see that last scene, I bawl. Every. Single. Time.

[@edgallagher7097]

It’s hard not to - such a touching story

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

Just a little fun bit. The actor for George left Hollywood and actually joined and fought in ww2. He had a lot of PTSD from the war. HOWEVER, he later said that this movie seriously helped him with said PTSD, allowing him a chance to vent some of his trauma in a safe way.

[@jasondamrau9943]

Very true, the part where he breaks down at the bar, he was having an actual emotional breakdown and he was able to pull it together enough to get through the scene

[@davidmurray5399]

Jimmy Stewart volunteered, went in as a Private to the Army Air Corps. He became an officer, completed flight training as a pilot. He flew combat missions for the Eighth Air Force over Europe, finishing the war as a Colonel. His last combat mission was an unauthorized flight in a B-52 over Hanoi in 1972, he was in the USAF Reserve at the time.

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@@davidmurray5399 Yes, and retired as a Brigadier General in the USAF Reserve.

[@haciendocosas5530]

The great Jimmy Stewart.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Yes, his tears during his prayer in that bar, are real..... he wasn't supposed to cry for the scene... but... he thought if his fellow comrades who he lost.

[@robertmysliwski7881]

I have seen this movie a hundred and this part always gets me!

[@danballe]

Every time! 😢

[@Fuzz32]

This is my dad’s favorite movie of all time. He has even claimed that it is the greatest movie ever made. I asked him once why he thought this. He told me that it’s a story about a selfless man who chose to do what was right instead of what he wanted. And even though it was difficult at times, it caught up with him in the end. And he was able to see that while he was not the world conquering man of destiny he wanted to be, his life still had meaning. I mean, can you really argue with that?

[@la_old_salt2241]

Well said.

[@peacemaker6662]

Indeed. Many chase what some call 'success'... you can't beat a life well lived. If you leave people who's lives have been touched by yours for the better, you have truly lived. Your dad is a very wise man. All the best to you and yours in this festive season!

[@hadrenspicer9035]

Jimmy Stewart never made a bad movie This was his best.tje greatest movie ever made. My favorite

[@James-ll3jb]

Nope😊

[@TylerD288]

Definitely one of the best endings in film of all time. Get's me choked up every time. Merry Christmas to everyone. ❤🎄🤍

[@la_old_salt2241]

Merry Christmas Tyler!

[@TylerD288]

@@la_old_salt2241 🙏

[@Happycamper52880]

Me too!

[@THE_KlNG]

The last 2 months were hell. This movie reassured the faith I have always had. The last 2 weeks I experienced miracles that only God and his Angels can perform! Merry Christmas!

[@James-ll3jb]

Understood😊

[@TheJuris1973]

Probably been mentioned already but the Bert and Ernie in the film are the inspiration for the Bert and Ernie in 'Sesame Street'

[@Elephant2024]

Ageless, timeless classic. Beloved by audiences the world over across all generations.

[@hadrenspicer9035]

I wish every person could see this movie.the greatest movie ever made.its not chrismas wirhout this movie.merry Christmas

[@guitarbo1]

I can only handle watching about two or three of these at a time. They're so good!

[@timothypolanco8622]

My favorite Christmas movie ever. This was the movie that my mother choose for our family to watch ever year.

[@spencerluton7721]

I still watch this movie every Christmas Eve as I used to watch it with my nan since I was about 6 years old (52 now). Am hoping to go & see this on Sunday at the local cinema with my kids 😃Merry Christmas to all

[@timothypolanco8622]

@spencerluton7721 wow that must great to see this movie on a big screen cinema. I might have to try that with my friends, seeing how some of them have yet to see this film. Even though I'm living in a completely different state, I still FaceTime my family to watch this film with every year as well.

[@spencerluton7721]

@ that is amazing & nice to know that some people still value their family especially at Christmas time. Bittersweet for me though as my nan that I used to watch it with died on Christmas Eve many years ago so that’s why I keep watching it & even more poignant when an angel gets their wings 😢Just wish the milk of human kindness outweighed that of selfishness & self importance

[@chrisinolympiawa9295]

I love these compilations! My favorite movie and seeing all these people reacting got me crying again!

[@MsCatmando]

Goes to show you. We are all important not only to God, but the people around us. Merry christmas Everyone and a happy new year

[@edgallagher7097]

Beautiful thoughts thank you

[@quietman71]

I always say "Attaboy Clarence!" along with George, and I'm always tearing up. Gets me every time. I've watched a lot of reactions to this one. Many, MANY people say, at some point, "This wasn't what I was expecting." And then, at the end, it's just about guaranteed everyone will say, "Yeah. I see why people have recommended it." It really is just that good.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

When you look deeply at the movie, you realize it's actually a very dark story. A man with huge dreams sacrifices all of them for the sake of the people he loves. A miserable man who considers himself to be a failure. The film illuminates something rarely ever talked about in our culture: the destruction of men. Yet Capra flips the lens and shows what's been there all the time: the wondrous web of love and friendship also available to every man, whether he knows it or not. The truth expressed in the film: giving your life over to something larger than yourself is the main reason to be alive. And the greatest source of joy. There are a hundred other reasons this movie is great but one of them is the newel post a that George kisses at the end. It's a three-act play in itself: George is first bemused by how the loose newel post represents the state of disrepair in the old Granville house. Then in his darkest moment, that broken newel post fills him with rage as it represents the mess he's made of his life. Finally, when he's seen what the world would have been without him, when he realizes how precious this messed up old house is to him, he kisses the newel post when it comes off in his hand. None of this happened by accident, or was improvised. It was built into the script, another building block in the epic story of a single ordinary life. That's finally why the film is so great: it reveals the epic in all of us. We cry for George Bailey out of awe at the size of his life, at how much love is in it. We cry because we're reminded-when we can lift our heads above the indignities and struggles and failures and frustrations of everyday living-that such love is possible in every human life.

[@secretidentitynetwork6218]

Very well said. To me, the most significant line in the movie is when Potter says, "You're worth more dead than alive". That is why George wants to kill himself, not because he is depressed. I think a lot of people miss this. The goal is for Mary and the kids to be able to use the life insurance money. He is faithful to "doing the right thing" even in death.

[@IntergalacticDustBunny]

There's a lot of people who seem to miss the point of this film because Potter doesn't get his comeuppance at the end. The point is that true wealth comes from the relationships and communities you build, not from money. Hence George was "The richest man in town" and Potter was the poor man all along.

[@language-n-learning]

In the imaginary part of the film, Bailey Park is a cemetery, perhaps demonstrating the death of George and the community. In the Bible, the Potter's Field was a cemetery for poor people. The town is called Bakersfield, but in the imaginary part it's called Pottersville. 😊

[@FireTiger941]

The movie makes me cry every time, but the reactions make me cry, AND laugh at the same time lol

[@mattbarnett4210]

Fun fact. The actor who plays "Nick the Bartender" is Sheldon Leonard, who went on to become a television actor, director, writer and producer, working on some of the biggest shows in the 50s and 60s. Chuck Lorre, who has created some of the best known shows in the 2000s, in a nod of respect, named his main characters Sheldon and Leonard on "The Big Bang Theory." And now you know, the rest of the story.

[@TimRobinson-hc7mt]

Fun to see all your reactions to this all time classic kind of tugs at the heart strings don't it folks💕💕💕

[@im2old4this2]

I didn't watch It's A Wonderful Life this most recent holiday season - for the first time in many, many years. It was really nice to be reminded of the message through watching the first-timers' reactions. Thanks for posting.

[@jasondamrau9943]

In my opinion, the greatest Christmas movie of all time. The original Miracle om 34th Street is great but Jimmy Stewart just gives this movie the edge

[@sharkdentures3247]

100% same opinion here.

[@natashka8880]

I'm soooo glad you put this together. I can't stop watching it!

[@g2024_]

Great great film, always makes me cry no matter how many times I’ve watched it

[@dawnsokolik7837]

MKS Watched it many times , it's hard to believe their are 4 surviving members DECEMBER 2024. Great Movie

[@jeffashley5512]

Many mention what about Potter? Movie scripts in that era had the bad guy get their comeuppance...always, but this movie let George's happiness and succuess supercede the norm. George was far above Potter so it didn't matter the fate of Potter.

[@thomasmorelli9271]

A friend of mine who is a therapist said "if someone watches this movie and doesn't cry at the end, they have some work to do in letting emotions out. " Interesting to see 98% cry and 2% - nada. lol @16:53

[@TylerD288]

I wasn't surprised by the non-criers. Something definitely wrong there, and they're the reactors I don't watch.

[@justinchung7753]

I don’t trust those ppl.

[@memorast]

❤❤❤ greatest Christmas movie ever made❤❤❤❤ thank you for sharing this

[@Stogie2112]

"I busted the ju-ka-box, too!" 😉😊

[@carasmith549]

13:12 - Ashleigh Burton: queries the 'normal' names vs. Zuzu? Zuzu or Zusu was just an old-fashioned nickname for girls called Susan. So the Bailey children would be: Jane, Peter, Susan and Tom.

[@GrainneMhaol]

Zuzu's was a brand of Ginger Snaps available at the time. That's why he calls her "My little ginger snap".

[@ofrabjousday1]

Firstly, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" pays homage to this scene at the end, when they're all standing around a Christmas tree, and they start singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." The Simpsons also parody this movie in "The Leftorium" episode. And secondly, people are always impressed at Sam's wire from London. But what most people assume is that Sam is giving George $25,000.00. He isn't. He's "advancing" him the money, which means it's a loan. Still a lifeline, though. Hee haw.

[@smichelle65]

If Sam knows George, he knows George would stubbornly refuse to accept a $25000 gift, even if it meant keeping himself out of jail. It would have to be a "loan" or nothing at all.

[@juanmangasmochas1533]

One of my favorite Christmas movies. It’s the little bit of hope that drives some of us through the next year.

[@katesimmons9297]

Jimmy Steward had just returned from his 2nd (?) tour in WW2 and was suffering from shellshock (PTSD) and depression when he did this movie. Both Stewart and Capra said that Stewart wasn't in a good place and his just below the surface anger and angst was what capra was looking for, so even though Stewart looks older than what George is supposed to be, Capra thought that Steward was perfect to play George. Stewart also said the scene on the bridge when George is praying to God was hard for him because he was struggling - the scene was hard but the emotions and tears are real from him Stewart and not George the character.

[@iampapa318]

Remember!! Behind every good man is a good woman :)

[@GentleGentile_]

Best Christmas movie EVER!

[@barbarawissinger]

I love both It’s a wonderful life & the reactions to it. Almost everyone pauses when Sam offers $25000, which would be a sizable sum today, but in the 1940s it was a fortune. Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reid were so good together.

[@deaded5040]

My grandfather LOVED this movie 🥹

[@sharkdentures3247]

EVERY time I see this since childhood, I tear up! (It is practically Pavlovian by now.) I think watching this video was a mistake. (I may be dehydrated now.)

[@danballe]

😂😢

[@TheLouis1973]

Hard to believe it wasn’t well received when it first came out in the theaters. It basically sat dormant for years until some tv executive decided to show it on tv in the 1970s. The rest is history

[@crazynicoya951]

Actually, when the rights expired and the movie entered public domain, television made it popular when it was shown during the Christmas season. Either way, it’s a miracle that the movie became popular and many people consider it a tradition to watch it during the holiday season.

[@K9AF]

@@crazynicoya951 Yes, the copyright HAD expired, BUT they could have been renewed for the 'whopping' amount of $4. The renewal process somehow slipped through the cracks and the movie became public domain, meaning no TV station had to pay a dime to run it.

[@rodgerlang884]

Remember no man is a failure who has friends. We need to hold to this more and more.....

[@justwondering5651]

Mary is the real hero of the movie. George would not have been the man he was if Mary had not been there.

[@Chockys234]

Good-hearted people deserve to live a good life. Not to be ruined by the soul-less ones.

[@bbferreira78]

The true Turing test, you can't be human, if you are not crying by the end

[@sugarman4354]

Christmas movie or any other kind of movie. It’s a Wonderful Life is without a doubt the best movie ever made & it ain’t even close. Love it so much 🤍

[@joshuawells835]

This is my father's favorite Christmas film. When the most stressful week in the life of a pastor is the very last week of December, as he's waiting to see if the church subscribed to the budget, seeing everyone come together and give more than enough is a dream come true. There are those who are unhappy that we don't see Mr. Potter get his comeuppance and I have never had to think about it because Charles Dickens did it for us. Mr. Potter is the unredeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, therefore that vision of Christmas Yet to Come that scared Scrooge into repentance is Mr. Potter's fate - to die alone without friends or family present, to be buried in the local cemetery, and then forgotten by time. Furthermore, the film's central thesis is that the universe is governed by a just and loving God, one Mr. Potter will face on Judgement Day.

[@mescko]

Hear, hear!! CC was my late father's favorite fiction, he loved Dickens, but CC was the topper, cuz it was about *redemption* .

[@a35362]

13:10 "Zu Zu" was the name of a long-gone cookie made by Nabisco, Zu Zu Ginger Snaps. George calls her "my little ginger snap," so maybe that's what they had in mind when they named the character.

[@DavidDarnold-1980]

I'm a cynic even though I try to look on the bright side of things. This ending of this movie is how I wish real life actually was. Yeah, it might not be edgy or cool and more like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, but that's why I like it. When you look at the world, or just the United States if nothing else, there's so much division, so much animosity, so much negativity that there are times I feel like I'm going to choke on it.

[@jamesaugust7498]

Donna Reed. What a beauty.

[@brucevidito4923]

The greatest Christmas movie ever made.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Thought i could watch through the ending again without crying..... i failed 😢 it's impossible to not get touched by it.

[@zimjun7]

Naveed!! I didn't see you at first. It WAS a great movie. I agree!

[@brt5273]

Naveed! Great to se you. Glad you enjoy "It's a Wonderful Life"❤

[@lizetteolsen3218]

I watch this every Christmas Eve. I think more younger people need to watch this--really focuses on what's important in life.

[@robertcrouthamel9140]

Nobody ever gets it's the Liberty Bell ringing at the end of the movie. We had just won World War II.

[@TKOTraddish]

The Liberty Bell ringing was the logo of Liberty Films, the production company.

[@golfr-kg9ss]

Great choice for a compilation video. So many people love this movie. 1 day and 17K views. I know I'll be watching this at Christmas time for years to come.

[@brianog5267]

Even to the hardest of atheists and jaded souls.. this hits a chord…. We all have a Clarence… we just don’t see it… we are all in this together…. There is something greater than wealth and fame and “doing what I WANT TO DO”…. Sometimes we just need to be reminded every December

[@ronaldwilson6295]

Lionel Barrymore (Mr, Potter) and Drew Barrymore are related. Lionel Barrymore is Drew Barrymore's great-uncle. Lionel Barrymore was the brother of John Barrymore, who is Drew Barrymore's grandfather. This makes Lionel Barrymore Drew's great-uncle.

[@Grandview6613]

The actor (Jimmy Stewart) quit his career during WWII and flew bombers over Germany

[@stephengamber7000]

Thanks for posting - great reacts!

[@chessenthusiast]

JTA’s reaction is so genuine and tender. Love those guys.

[@rolanalberto3064]

Sam Wainwright = The one friend that you joked around with since childhood but stuck wit ya till the end. Hee-haw Sam. Hee-haw

[@4catsnow]

First movie James Stewart did after flying 20 combat missions with the 453rd Bomb Group of The Army Air Force over germany. Imagine his agent in Hollywood cornering the market on bourbon while his client was overseas....

[@martinishot]

Mr potter was played by lionel barrymore. He was drew barrymore's great uncle.

[@mikeplott4817]

Great Reaction Guys and I’m Crying With You 👍🙏💯😎❤️

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

For those of you wondering about the kids "alone" in the house. There was a cop there with a warrant.

[@nordvegfigg7746]

The couple who sat there completely stonefaced ...?

[@IsraelBenitez-ev7mj]

Keep in mind, George needed 8,000...Sam ALONE advanced him 25,000

[@bobbonj1171]

Quite a few if not all are of younger generation reacting to this classic shows that the film is aging very very well..and mind you, when it first released in theaters, it was a big flop.

[@Happycamper52880]

So sad to see the younger generation watching a way of life in this country that doesn’t exist for them now.

[@yutehube4468]

Potter got away with stealing the $8,000 though 🤔I totally expected that to be the icing on the cake, like the cops find the envelope and it has Uncle Billy's handwriting on or something, but it just didn't happen.

[@toddjones1480]

Seriously, though, you'd love that skit.

[@tylerfluegel3382]

I kinda love that Mr Potter got away with it - it's a perfect ending. It keeps the focus on love and family rather than justice. George's world is still unfair and full of evil people like Potter, but he's loved and that's enough. No matter what schemes Potter brews up, George will be there for the little guy.

[@toddjones1480]

@@tylerfluegel3382 Realistically, Mr. Potter would be emboldened by this. He damaged an enemy, profited tremendously from it and suffered no consequences. I see him moving from opportunism to actively plotting against Bailey for fun and profit

[@fifiladu2659]

I named my daughter Susanna just so I could call her Zuzu, after growing up watching this movie every Christmas of my life! ☺️🎄♥️

[@scottgibeault1717]

In the end, we're all just trying to earn our wings. Attaboy Clarence.

[@WeszzZ________________WViiiiii]

Everytime a bell rings. End of the movie liberty bell rings - for all mankind

[@mikeRedMDK2032]

'Atta boy, clarence!

[@Fast_Eddy_Magic]

After this, Clarence got his wings suspended for drinking and flying. 😂

[@Fast_Eddy_Magic]

The End...with a big bell ringing.

[@MatthiaGryffine]

I was wondering if we would see this and I'm glad we will

[@JoseRodriguez-l5v2w]

zuzu is the only o o e alive 😢 she's 84 and lives in Seattle 😂🎉p

[@cstuartdc]

Why I cry: Happy for him of course, but I feel shame for how selfish and ungrateful I acted like George throughout the year. I also lack faith.

[@rextrek]

IF ONLY MANKIND Learned from this Movie..................

[@fifiladu2659]

Welcome to your new Christmas staple!!! Don’t worry- I am a sixties something old gal, and it still makes me tear up! ♥️🎄

[@windellchapman8397]

Best of all movies !!! 😊 BTW .. Amazon cut it up and repackaged it , on Prime and Freevee .. Its almost unrecognizable and void of most meaning !! Whats wrong w/ them ??

[@jl5574]

Plenty of great scenes you can do for this movie, one I would like to see is George’s impassioned speech at Potter when it seems like they might dissolve the Building and Loan.

[@orangeandblackattack]

I firmly believe that if someone is on the edge of making that final decision watched this, they will change their mind. Nothing truer than friends being key.

[@Rocket1377]

Unfortunately, one of the main reasons people often consider taking their lives is because they are lonely and feel they have no friends.

[@Fast_Eddy_Magic]

They're taking pictures for the newspaper.