How to watch It’s a Wonderful Life during the holiday season

More than 60 years later, It’s a Wonderful Life remains perhaps the quintessential Christmas movie. Here’s how to watch the holiday classic.

Classic movies are those that seep into the wider cultural lexicon. Even if you haven’t actually seen them, you have some kind of attachment to or reference for them. It’s a Wonderful Life is one of these. Maybe you’ve seen parodies of the final act in which James Stewart’s protagonist is compelled to imagine a world without him. Or maybe you’ve heard the line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”

Either way, no Christmas is truly complete without Frank Capra’s parable.

For those who have only absorbed It’s a Wonderful Life by osmosis, the plot centers on a man named George Bailey. When his father dies on the eve of his high school graduation, George has to sacrifice his plans to travel and attend college in order to take care of his family’s bank. Over the course of time, financial difficulties take hold, which tests our hero’s fundamental decency as well as his marriage to his high school sweetheart Mary (Donna Reed).

The film, like much of Capra’s work, has a reputation for being uplifting and sentimental. As I discovered upon my rather sobering first viewing, it is in fact quite harrowing. (In retrospect, this should have been expected, considering the opening scene consists of George trying to commit suicide.) While the small-town setting of Bedford Falls might seem quaint in the 21st century, the themes of class struggle, community, family, and the difficulty of doing what’s right continue to resonate today. Few figures in pop culture feel as relevant during the Trump era as the mean Mr. Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore.

Besides, the bleakness ensures that It’s a Wonderful Life earns its feel-good conclusion. With Christmas constantly threatening to be consumed by materialism, the sight of George surrounded by friends and loved ones provides a timely reminder of what holiday spirit really looks like.

"Date: Monday, Dec. 24Start time: 8:00 p.m. ETChannel: NBCLive stream: Watch live on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial. You can also watch on NBC’s website or app."

It’s a Wonderful Life is also available to stream on Amazon Prime.