'
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Elf

Play trailer 2:13 Elf PG Released Nov 7, 2003 1h 37m Kids & Family Holiday Comedy Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 202 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Image for: Where to Watch

Elf

Elf

What to Know

Image for: What to Know
Critics Consensus

A movie full of Yuletide cheer, Elf is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell's funny and charming performance as one of Santa's biggest helpers.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

Image for: Critics Reviews
View All (202) Critics Reviews
Radheyan Simonpillai CBC Radio Elf's hopeful and uplifting response to post-9/11 cynicism is gentle, right up to a climax where the world is huddled around their television sets watching news reports trying to figure out what's that thing that crashed in New York City. Dec 11, 2023 Full Review Kevin Maher Times (UK) It’s not just the lines, written by David Berenbaum, that work... It’s Ferrell’s bullish commitment to the concept that holds the Jon Favreau-directed film together. Rated: 4/5 Dec 1, 2023 Full Review Neil Norman London Evening Standard While his plotting may leave a little to be desired, Favreau directs with speed, humour and efficiency. Dec 14, 2014 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Elf isn’t a pre-fabricated piece of synthetic Christmas cheer like such junk as Deck the Halls, Jingle All the Way or the worst-of-the-worst Christmas With the Kranks. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 15, 2023 Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Just not in time for the holidays, a recent revisit with the surprise Christmas classic earns a smidgen more love from our resident crusty curmudgeon. Rated: 4.5 Jan 23, 2023 Full Review Kevin Fallon The Daily Beast Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Peter Dinklage, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, and, most surprisingly, James Caan nailing their supporting turns. Sometimes at Christmas, you just want to laugh. Dec 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

Image for: Audience Reviews
View All (1000+) audience reviews
David P Best Christmas Movie Ever! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/23/24 Full Review Patsy L Loved it for me and my kids a classic Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/24 Full Review Steven It’s my favorite Christmas movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/24 Full Review Joseph Great Christmas movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/21/24 Full Review todd m Such a good one ! I recommend playing music in the background before the show while Buddyis out front talking to the audience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/12/24 Full Review Melani I One of my all time favorite! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/09/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Elf

My Rating

Image for: My Rating
Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Image for: Cast & Crew
View All Cast and Crew

Jon Favreau

Director

Will Ferrell

Buddy

James Caan

Walter

Bob Newhart

Papa Elf

Ed Asner

Santa

Mary Steenburgen

Emily

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
Hocus Pocus 41% 72% Hocus Pocus Watchlist TRAILER for Hocus Pocus How the Grinch Stole Christmas 49% 59% How the Grinch Stole Christmas Watchlist Jack Frost 19% 40% Jack Frost Watchlist The Haunted Mansion 14% 31% The Haunted Mansion Watchlist Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat 10% 57% Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
Image for: Videos
View All videos

Elf

"Santa, here? I know him!" from ‘Elf’ | Rotten Tomatoes’ 21 Most Memorable Moments "Santa, here? I know him!" from ‘Elf’ | Rotten Tomatoes’ 21 Most Memorable Moments 3:09 Elf: Trailer 2 Elf: Trailer 2 2:13 MCU Phase One Interview: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige Recalls the Beginnings MCU Phase One Interview: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige Recalls the Beginnings 11:21 View more videos
Image for: Photos
View All Elf photos

Elf

View more photos

Movie Info

Image for: Movie Info
Synopsis Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
Director
Jon Favreau
Producer
Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki, Shauna Robertson
Screenwriter
David Berenbaum
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
Shawn Danielle Production Services, Mosaic Media Group, Guy Walks into a Bar Productions, Gold/Miller Productions
Rating
PG (Some Mild Rude Humor|Language)
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 11, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$177.1M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby SR, DTS, Surround
Most Popular at Home Now