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Elf

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for Elf PG 2003 1h 37m Kids & Family Holiday Comedy Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 204 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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Elf

Elf

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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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Critics Reviews

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Radheyan Simonpillai CBC Radio Dec 11, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Dec 1, 2023
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Neil Norman London Evening Standard Dec 14, 2014
While his plotting may leave a little to be desired, Favreau directs with speed, humour and efficiency. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jan 17, 2026
Director Jon Favreau may not have comic grace, but his direction is both sweet and funny. He never lets Ferrell play the victim... while Ferrell (in his first leading role) peppers every scene with manic outbursts and joyous exclamations. Go to Full Review Alan French Sunshine State Cineplex Dec 15, 2025
9/10
For as much fun as Ferrell is having in every frame, director Jon Favreau builds a beautiful world around him. The two seemingly called in every favor to fill out the cast, and the wildly deep ensemble helps give the movie some extra heft. Go to Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Dec 10, 2025
2/5
This is one of those films that tries really hard to be family friendly but there's some real darkness here. Additionally, I found a lot of Buddy's behavior really annoying. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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sara Dec 28, 2025 This movie was not showing at the time that Fandango had advertised and the time I purchased tickets for. . We sat through nearly an hour of previews as we were directed to theater 6, and it ended up being Avatar. Big let down for my kids who were very excited to see Elf on the theater for the first time. Not sure we will use Fandango again. See more Todd Dec 24, 2025 Awesome Christmas movie! Big screen magic! See more Chris Dec 13, 2025 Got to watch with my cute girlfriend 🌝 See more Jules Dec 9, 2025 The best feel good holiday movie for the whole family!! See more Deb M Nov 30, 2025 Love this movie but was awesome to see it again on the big screen! See more David P Dec 23, 2024 Best Christmas Movie Ever! See more Read all reviews
Elf

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Cast & Crew

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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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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 Now Playing Elf: Trailer 2 Elf: Trailer 2 2:13 Now Playing 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 Now Playing View more videos
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Elf

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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
Surround, Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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