It Happened One Night

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It Happened One Night

1934

1h 45m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

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113 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In Frank Capra's acclaimed romantic comedy, spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews impetuously marries the scheming King Westley, leading her tycoon father to spirit her away on his yacht. After jumping ship, Ellie falls in with cynical newspaper reporter Peter Warne, who offers to help her reunite with her new husband in exchange for an exclusive story. But during their travels, the reporter finds himself falling for the feisty young heiress.

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Critics Consensus

Capturing its stars and director at their finest, It Happened One Night remains unsurpassed by the countless romantic comedies it has inspired.

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Caroline Siede

Girl Culture (Substack)

07/09/2024

Really, what makes It Happened One Night special is that—unlike the rom-coms that followed in its wake—it doesn’t have to be in conversation with what it means to “be a rom-com.”

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

02/09/2024

5/5

The grandaddy of all rom-coms is this ingenious, fabulously smutty and still relevant 90-year-old two-hander.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

09/11/2023

Considering its subject, it is better than it has any right to be -- better acted, better directed, better written.

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

04/07/2025

A movie you could release today and people would still love it. What a charming classic

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

03/28/2025

Arguably Frank Capra’s first classic.

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

06/14/2023

Satisfying and romantic, the chemistry between Gable and Colbert is unmatched.

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Renaldo D

@RT30888824 3d

The screenplay for this movie is wonderful.

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Albert G.

@RT62941283 May 25

It was fun to watch Gable dispatch every possible problem with alacrity, except for the problem of Colbert. Effective romcoms still follow the archetypes seen in their pure, superhuman form here.

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ed m

@RT80499164 Jan 19

Likable, but dated. Plays really slow now.

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ChrisCSH H

@RT12343453 Nov 28

Fabulously acted with perfect chemistry are Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. A film that is so special that after over 90 years, it’s still relevant and unsurpassed by countless romantic comedies that came after it. The film still has magnificent humor. Then the writing is still engaging and absolutely brilliant in every way.

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yahya S.

@yahya858 Oct 17

The continuity in the story lock you in , just starting thinking why not can do similar movies right now

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J. M. P

@RT83639792 06/22/2025

It Happened One Night (1934) is a classic and simple story that balances humor, romance, and great character development. It is lauded for the simple yet funny and memorable moments that continue to define the genre to this day. It is a pioneer of the romcom, a genre I tend to find cliche, but it overcomes this cliche to be a great, classic work for all to enjoy.

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Frank Capra

Director

Claudette Colbert

Ellie Andrews

Clark Gable

Peter Warne

Walter Connolly

Alexander Andrews

Roscoe Karns

Oscar Shapeley

Alan Hale

Danker

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Make Way for the King

1:48

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - The Pleasure Was All Mine

1:57

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - A Perfectly Nice Married Couple

2:12

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Go Back to Your Bed

2:13

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - This Isn't Piggyback!

1:47

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - The Walls of Jericho

2:13

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Lessons in Hitchhiking

1:40

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Dropping In

2:12

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It Happened One Night: Trailer 1

1:22

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Synopsis

In Frank Capra's acclaimed romantic comedy, spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews impetuously marries the scheming King Westley, leading her tycoon father to spirit her away on his yacht. After jumping ship, Ellie falls in with cynical newspaper reporter Peter Warne, who offers to help her reunite with her new husband in exchange for an exclusive story. But during their travels, the reporter finds himself falling for the feisty young heiress.

Director: Frank Capra
Producer: Frank Capra, Harry Cohn
Screenwriter: Samuel Hopkins Adams, Robert Riskin
Distributor: RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 22, 1934, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)