Heaven Can Wait (1943): cast, story & where to watch
1943 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 1943, Heaven Can Wait is a comedy, fantasy, drama and romance film directed by Ernst Lubitsch, running about 112 minutes. “He believed in Love… Honor… and Obey – That Impulse!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Spoiled playboy Henry van Cleve dies and arrives at the entrance to Hell, a final destination he is sure he deserves after living a life of profligacy. The devil, however, isn't so sure Henry meets Hell's standards. Convinced he is where he belongs, Henry recounts his life's deeds, both good and bad, including an act of indiscretion during his 25-year marriage to his wife, Martha, with the hope that "His Excellency" will arrive at the proper judgment.
Who’s in it. Heaven Can Wait stars Gene Tierney as Martha Strabel Van Cleve, Don Ameche as Henry Van Cleve, Charles Coburn as Hugo Van Cleve and Marjorie Main as Mrs. Strabel, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, Heaven Can Wait has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Heaven Can Wait page.
If you liked it. Fans of Heaven Can Wait tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Heaven Can Wait (1943)?
- In US, Heaven Can Wait is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Heaven Can Wait worth watching?
- Heaven Can Wait holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, fantasy, drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Heaven Can Wait?
- Heaven Can Wait stars Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, Charles Coburn, Marjorie Main and Laird Cregar.