It’s a wonderful life is a classic Christmas tale that tells the story of a regretful banker who learns what life would be like if he had never been born. The film has been the subject of inspiration and tributes since its release and has sparked countless tales of the timeless story.
It’s always hard to follow in the footsteps of a vintage movie. The best stories from It’s a wonderful life are memorable because they found a way to spoof the original film while adding new elements to keep the story fresh.
‘Merry Christmas, George Bailey’
In 1997, Bill Pullman starred as George Bailey in a live-action television recreation of It’s a wonderful life. The adaptation was intended to pay homage to the 1947 radio play where James Stuart and Donna Roseau reprized their film roles.
This tale captured the magic of the original by incorporating an actor from the original film. jimmy hawkin, the actor who played Bailey’s son, served as an executive producer on the project. The event was memorable primarily for its intent. Funds from the made-for-TV film went to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
“It happened on a Christmas”
Fed up with constantly having to put her dreams on hold to run the family business, Mary Bailey Hatch tries to kill herself, but is saved by a guardian angel who shows her what the world would be like if she were erased from it. It happened on a Christmas is a gender-swapped version of its predecessor.
Much like the original, the made-for-TV movie received mixed reviews and wasn’t watched until years after it first aired. Despite mixed reviews, the production was rewarded with Emmy nominations for Art Direction and by Cloris Leachman representation of the angel Clara Odbody.
“Married… with children”: “It’s a full life” (Part 1 and Part 2)
The two-part Christmas episode of Married with children is a parody of It’s a wonderful life. Al Bundy’s guardian angel tries to get his wings by convincing Al to live after a fatal accident with the Christmas lights.
The holiday episode is considered a fan favorite as it is by Ted McGinley first appearance in the series before playing Jefferson D’arcy. The Christmas element keeps the novelty of the episode intact, and Fox re-aired “It’s a Bundyful Life” six years after the show was canceled, which is an extremely rare situation for a parent network of a canceled sitcom.
Billy Joel: ‘You’re Only Human’ (music video)
In at Billy Joel In the “You’re Only Human” video, the singer plays a guardian spirit for a suicidal victim who attempts to jump off a bridge after destroying her parents’ car. Billy Joel does his best impression of Clarence Odbody and shares the ceremonies in the teenager’s life that will take place if he avoids the plunge.
Joel’s Billboard Hot 100 hit has gotten its second wind after gaining recent notoriety by being featured throughout season two of The boys. Jack Quaid the character references the track for inspiration during his depression. The single’s music video pays homage to the 1946 Christmas drama and the music video’s YouTube comments section is littered with fans who flocked to the video after a season two binge-watching session of The boys.
“Family Matters”: “It’s starting to sound a lot like Urkel”
In the twelfth episode of the fourth season of Family matters, Laura receives a visit from her guardian angel and he teaches her a lesson in sympathy by showing what it’s like to live in Urkel’s place. The holiday parody of a Christmas classic is one of the most memorable episodes of the Family matters series.
Laura’s visions of an alternate world include her nerdy roles reversed with Steve Urkel’s character. The role reversal spawned a new trope that would become traditional on the show seeing multiple family members bring Steve’s signature wardrobe to life. Additionally, this episode marked the last time Laura asked Steve to stay out of her life, which was a frequent request in previous seasons. The eventful episode has lessons that have bled into later episodes, which is rare for sitcoms.
“It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas”
The Muppet Theater is in danger of demolition in It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas. A frustrated Kermit the Frog is visited by an angel who shows him what his world would be like if he had never been born.
The Muppets movie is remembered as an homage to the 1946 holiday classic. It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas is also the last production from The Jim Henson Company before the intellectual property of The Muppets was given to Disney. The film is filled with the culture established by Jim Henson.
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”: “The Alma Mater”
Carlton is on the verge of suicide after ruining his chances of attending his father’s Princeton alma mater university. He takes a step back after his guardian angel reveals to him how awful the family would be if he weren’t alive.
The recycled clichés of It’s a wonderful life are overshadowed by notable moments in the episode. Carlton’s Idol Tom Jones the guest acts as his guardian angel and sings a number while Carlton does his trademark dance routine.
“The Family Man”
Nicholas Cage played in the 2000s The family man where he sees what his life would be like if he had married his college girlfriend instead of pursuing an ambitious career. Holiday Themes and Alternative Life Event Tropes Feature It’s A Wonderful Life influence on this film.
The man of the family retreaded themes featured in Frank CapraChristmas family drama, but incorporates many new elements to set itself apart from the predecessor. A popular cliché is reversed by keeping the main character from being erased and showing him an alternative life with the family he would have had had he married his ex-girlfriend. Audiences latched onto the picture after its release, and the Christmas film more than doubled its box office production budget with $124.7 million.
‘Shrek Forever’
In shrek forever, the giant green ogre mistakenly wishes he had never been born. Rental land lines It’s a wonderful life helped the fourth Shrek carry the momentum of the franchise and spark a spin-off series.
Sequels like Santa Claus 3: The Escape Clause elements borrowed from It’s a wonderful life and the series took a financial and critical turn for the worse. shrek forever performed their retelling of the beloved holiday movie and the positive reaction was evident with the box office results. The fourth installment was just over $200 million of the $1 billion with ticket sales and ended as the second highest-grossing animated picture of 2010.
Donnie Darko
In Donnie Darko, by Jake Gyllenhaal The character is saved from an accident and thanks to time travel, he understands how his actions cause the death of certain characters. Donnie’s bond with his imaginary friend Frank is similar to George Bailey’s relationship with his guardian angel.
Sitting at 87% reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, Donnie Darkois considered one of the best independent films of all time by critics. Similar to George Bailey, Donnie questions whether other people’s lives are optimal while he lives. The psychological thriller creatively answers that question and catapults Donnie Darko’s viewing experience to the same level as the film it is inspired by.