Overview
An angel's unexpected arrival brings a mix of chaos and charm to a bishop's life, just in time for the holidays.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- christmas viewing
- cozy evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film as a charming Christmas fantasy whose appeal rests on its winning performances, especially the stellar central cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dudley arrives in response to Henry's prayer and intervenes in the bishop's professional and domestic life.
The approaching Christmas season, prayer, miracles, and church community shape the story's redemptive movement.
Dudley's mischievous assistance creates comic complications while preserving an elegant, warm atmosphere.
Henry's cathedral campaign causes him to neglect Julia and his family, making restored priorities central to the conflict.
Films like The Bishop's Wife, and why
It's a Wonderful Life
shared christmas setting, supernatural intervention, warm romantic comedy, and gentle moral renewal
Heaven Can Wait
shared angelic premise, romantic comedy elements, spiritual themes, and polished classic Hollywood tone
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
shared witty fantasy romance, charming supernatural outsider, and affectionate classic studio style
Remember the Night
shared holiday warmth, marital priorities, comedy-drama balance, and redemptive family focus
Movie Details
- Director
- Henry Koster
- Release Date
- 1947-12-25
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (290)
Cast
- Cary Grant
- Loretta Young
- David Niven
- Monty Woolley
- James Gleason
- Gladys Cooper
- Elsa Lanchester
- Sara Haden
- Karolyn Grimes
- Tito Vuolo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Bishop's Wife about?
- An overworked bishop receives mischievous heavenly help that forces him to rediscover the family and faith eclipsed by his cathedral ambition.
- What is The Bishop's Wife like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Bishop's Wife as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Bishop's Wife violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Bishop's Wife.
- What did critics think of The Bishop's Wife?
- Critics broadly praise the film as a charming Christmas fantasy whose appeal rests on its winning performances, especially the stellar central cast.
- Which films are like The Bishop's Wife?
- Films with a similar feel include It's a Wonderful Life, Heaven Can Wait, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Remember the Night.
- How long is The Bishop's Wife?
- The Bishop's Wife runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Bishop's Wife?
- In United States, The Bishop's Wife streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
