The classic Christmas film is ranked No.1 on the American Film Institute’s list of most inspirational movies, and is adored by fans around the world for its powerful message of hope

If you’ve somehow never seen the festive phenomenon It’s a Wonderful Life now is the time to fix that.

For many, Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece is the quintessential Christmas film: wonderfully nostalgic and full of hope. it truly is a must watch at some point during the festive season.

The story follows George Bailey (played by the fantastic James Stewart), a decent, kind-hearted man who’s spent his entire life putting his own dreams on hold in order to help everyone else in the small town of Bedford Falls.

On Christmas Eve 1945, everything seems to be collapsing around him. The family business is facing ruin and the cruel banker Mr Potter (Lionel Barrymore) is rubbing his hands with glee at the possible collapse. Thing are so dire that George finds himself standing on a bridge ready to end it all.

Enter Clarence, a bumbling guardian angel (Henry Travers) who is yet to earn his wings.

To save George, Clarence shows him what the world would look like if he’d never been born: Bedford Falls becomes the grim, neon-lit Pottersville, his brother is shown to have drowned as a child, and his wife Mary has become an “old maid” librarian. Essentially, every good thing George ever did simply vanishes.

While that may sound rather bleak, I promise the film’s ending is far from it, although i won’t say anymore to avoid spoilers.

Interestingly, the film flopped on release, both losing money and recieving mixed reviews critically, but when the copyright lapsed in the 1970s American TV stations began playing it non-stop every Christmas because it was basically free.

And soon, US audiences had fallen in love with the film, and it’s hardly left the festive TV lineup ever since. It’s officially one of the greatest films ever made. It’s ranked No.1 on the American Film Institute’s list of most inspirational movies, is preserved in the US National Film Registry, and still holds a cracking 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Over on Reddit, users who recently watched the film for the first time admitted to being left in bits:

One wrote: “I watched It’s a Wonderful Life for the first time on Christmas morning at 28 years old. My god. What a movie. This movie made me tear up, then it made me sob… I had to have a few White Russians to get through it.”

Another confessed: “The scene where George grabs his kids when he gets home like he’s drowning and they’re the only thing keeping him afloat… my man is acting his a** off!”

Someone else said: “Every time Harry toasts ‘To my big brother George – the richest man in town!’ I’m gone.” And one simply posted: “If you don’t cry at ‘Remember, no man is a failure who has friends’… check your pulse.”

It’s a Wonderful Life is streaming now on ITVX, Prime Video, Netflix (in some regions), Disney+ and available to rent/buy on all major platforms.