Overview
A whimsical clash of cultures unfolds when an eccentric family meets high society.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- wholesome
- classic movie night
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as highly entertaining, warmly acted, and emotionally appealing Capra comedy, while noting its considerable length and dated idealism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martin Vanderhof's household rejects conventional wealth-seeking while Anthony P. Kirby pursues monopoly and property acquisition.
Alice's romance with Tony forces the free-spirited Sycamores into direct conflict with the wealthy, status-conscious Kirbys.
The Sycamore home includes amateur artists, musicians, dancers, and friends whose shared enjoyment creates the film's central atmosphere.
Tony's proposal requires Alice to introduce her family to his parents, making social and familial acceptance central to the relationship.
Films like You Can't Take It with You, and why
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
shared screwball comedy, class conflict, eccentric ensemble, and optimistic social satire
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
shared Frank Capra warmth, romantic comedy, populist idealism, and conflict with wealth and power
The Philadelphia Story
shared romantic comedy, social class friction, witty ensemble energy, and anti-materialist themes
Arsenic and Old Lace
shared eccentric family dynamics, screwball humor, and pressure to conform to respectable society
Movie Details
- Director
- Frank Capra
- Release Date
- 1938-09-01
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (467)
Cast
- Jean Arthur
- Lionel Barrymore
- James Stewart
- Edward Arnold
- Mischa Auer
- Ann Miller
- Spring Byington
- Samuel S. Hinds
- Donald Meek
- H.B. Warner
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 You Can't Take It with You about?
- A free-spirited family challenges a wealthy industrial dynasty when their young lovers try to bridge an irreconcilable class divide.
- What is You Can't Take It with You like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of You Can't Take It with You as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is You Can't Take It with You violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in You Can't Take It with You.
- What did critics think of You Can't Take It with You?
- Critics broadly regard it as highly entertaining, warmly acted, and emotionally appealing Capra comedy, while noting its considerable length and dated idealism.
- Which films are like You Can't Take It with You?
- Films with a similar feel include Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Philadelphia Story, and Arsenic and Old Lace.
- How long is You Can't Take It with You?
- You Can't Take It with You runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch You Can't Take It with You?
- In United States, You Can't Take It with You streams on YouTube TV.
