Elf

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2:13

Poster for

Elf

PG

2003

1h 37m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

201 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

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Kevin Maher

The 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

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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

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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

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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

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Deb M

Love this movie but was awesome to see it again on the big screen!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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David P

Best Christmas Movie Ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

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Patsy L

Loved it for me and my kids a classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

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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

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Jon Favreau

Director

Will Ferrell

Buddy

James Caan

Walter

Bob Newhart

Papa Elf

Ed Asner

Santa

Mary Steenburgen

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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: 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

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