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

203 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

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

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

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

Even if Elf might be a bit overplayed during the holiday season, Ferrell’s puppy-like enthusiasm has kept this film fresh even after all these years.

Aug 21, 2023

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

Read all 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

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jon Favreau

Director

Will Ferrell

Buddy

James Caan

Walter

Bob Newhart

Papa Elf

Ed Asner

Santa

Mary Steenburgen

Emily

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

The 21 Most Memorable Movie Moments of the Past 21 Years: Vote for the Best Now!

21 Most Memorable Movie Moments: The Government Lobby from The Matrix (1999)

21 Most Memorable Movie Moments: “Santa, here? I know him!” from Elf (2003)

"Santa, here? I know him!" from ‘Elf’ | Rotten Tomatoes’ 21 Most Memorable Moments

3:09

Elf: Trailer 2

2:13

MCU Phase One Interview: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige Recalls the Beginnings

11:21

View more videos

View more photos

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