If I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen “A Christmas Story,” I’d probably be at least $50 richer. (That’s nothing to scoff at for a kid like Ralphie growing up in the ’40s.) I saw the 1983 classic for the first time when I was about 4 years old, and I’ve watched it on a loop with my family every year since.
Better yet, this usually means I go to bed on Christmas Eve with lines like “You’ll shoot your eye out” and “Don’t forget to drink your Ovaltine” stuck in my head, leaving me feeling pretty festive come Christmas morning. But as hilarious as some of the lines are, “A Christmas Story” has stood the test of time for many more reasons.
The film follows the story of a boy named Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who wants nothing more in life than a Red Ryder air rifle. As Ralphie puts up with the struggles of being an elementary-school student leading up to the winter break, he never stops dreaming about the BB gun. He even drops several hints — 28, to be exact — to his parents between Christmas shopping and awkward family dinners that he’s hoping to see the Red Ryder under the tree. Ultimately, the film is about the importance of family and enjoying each other’s company during the holidays.
From the ridiculous cast of characters — including Randy (Ian Petrella), Flick (Scott Schwartz), Schwartz (R.D. Robb), and Scut (Zack Ward) — to Ralphie’s internal monologues and his eagerness for Christmas Day to arrive, there’s a lot about this film that has me playing it on repeat every year. Whether you’ve seen it 100 times or it’s still on your “To Be Watched” list, keep reading to see some of the best, most nostalgic moments from “A Christmas Story.”