Elf

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2:13

Elf

PG

Released Nov 7, 2003

1h 37m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

Fantasy

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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Javon

what a Christmas classic!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/03/24

Full Review

Rusty B

It was fun watch "Elf" for the 20th anniversary of the movie, which I love and can relate to, and it was great to see it on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/07/24

Full Review

Caren E

Best movie ever! Bring back more oldies but goodies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

Full Review

Mark G

Just a great funny movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

Full Review

Brenda

Have seen n TV but on the big screen it is much better!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Paul

Brilliant as ever! I wish they would show this in the theater every year!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

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Jon Favreau

Director

Will Ferrell

Buddy

James Caan

Walter

Bob Newhart

Papa Elf

Ed Asner

Santa

Mary Steenburgen

Emily

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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: Guy Walks into a Bar Productions, Gold/Miller Productions, Shawn Danielle Production Services, Mosaic Media Group
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

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