It's a Wonderful Life wasn't intentionally made to be a Christmas movie, but it eventually became something entirely different: a timeless tale of one of the most-watched and beloved non-Christmas Christmas movies since it was released in the 1940s.
With the holidays right around the corner, here's where to watch the film online and how to use a top VPN for streaming, such as ExpressVPN and VeePN, if you're unable to find the movie in your region or on your preferred streaming platform.
Where to Watch It's a Wonderful Life Online
Watch and be brought back to the time when George Bailey was considering committing suicide, until his guardian angel, Clarence, shows him what life would have been like for his family and community had he never been born.
The heartwarming, timeless classic can be streamed on the following platforms:
- Streaming Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
- Purchase or Rent: YouTube, Apple TV
But if these streamers are not available in your region, there's another way to gain access to their exclusive content...
How to Watch It's a Wonderful Life with a VPN Service
A VPN is your answer if you're struggling to find It's a Wonderful Life and other similar movies on your preferred streaming platform or in your region. That's because a VPN bypasses geo-restrictions and convinces the network that you're within the same country where the exclusive content is available.
In our opinion, ExpressVPN and VeePN are two of the best options.
Lots of Servers
Budget-friendly
ExpressVPN is particularly strong, offering over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, and costs just $3.49 a month. Alternatively, VeePN has over 2,600 servers and costs just $1.99 per month, making it a slightly more budget-friendly choice.
Here's how to get started with a VPN:
Step 1: Sign Up
- Select a VPN, price plan, and start your subscription, then download the app of your preferred VPN service.
Step 2: Connect
- Navigate the app and explore connecting to different servers located in the US, the UK, and elsewhere, depending on what you're watching.
Step 3: Stream
- Go to your designated streaming platform, log in, and you'll be able to watch movies and shows outside your region.
Other VPN Options to Consider
If ExpressVPN and VeePN are not for you, there are other VPN services worth checking out:
- NordVPN: Offers strong security and provides excellent server speeds.
- Surfshark: Unlimited device connections at an affordable price.
- CyberGhost: Known for its fast speed and reliable server networks across countries.
- Private Internet Access: Known for strong privacy features and an affordable, feature-rich VPN service.
Beyond providing access to streaming-exclusive content from the comfort of your own home, VPNs offer several other significant benefits.
Firstly, they enhance data privacy by masking your IP address, preventing monitoring by ISPs, advertisers, and other potentially exploitative or malicious entities. VPNs also strengthen online security by encrypting your internet connection, and can help reduce lag when connecting to new servers.
Ultimately, using a VPN anytime you're online is a smart move, so don't just switch one on when it's time to hunker down and watch movies like It's a Wonderful Life online!
What Makes It's a Wonderful Life So Timeless?
Acclaimed filmmaker Frank Capra (loosely) found inspiration in Charles Dickens' classic novella, A Christmas Carol, which played a part in how It's a Wonderful Life became the timeless classic we know today.
The tale of hope, redemption, family, and selflessness transformed Capra's film into the perfect Christmas story, but there's more to it than people think.
For one thing, times may have changed to the extremes as of current, but It's a Wonderful Life incorporated themes like hope versus despair to push the main character, George Bailey, to come to terms with himself and appreciate the life he always had. And not many movies from the 1940s live to be remade and land a streaming platform for families to watch and come back to whenever they feel like it.
Not to mention, It's a Wonderful Life was never intended to be a Christmas movie, and considering that the majority of its audiences today would prefer non-Christmas Christmas movies, the film turned into a heartwarming story that felt like a classic Christmas tale, forever tied to the thought of having the family watch around the holidays.
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