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Elf

"This holiday, discover your inner elf."

2003-11-07 Comedy 1hr 37m

When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic.

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Storyline

When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic.

  • Released
    2003-11-07
  • Revenue
    $228,500,000
  • Budget
    $32,000,000
  • Runtime
    1hr 37m
  • Genre
    Comedy, Family, Fantasy
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English
  • imdb-logo
    7.1
  • Production
    New Line Cinema, Guy Walks into a Bar Productions

Crew

Jon Favreau
Director
David Berenbaum
Writer
Todd Komarnicki
Producer
Keywords:
elves dwarf holiday adoption santa claus sarcasm looking for birth parents romance fish out of water orphan north pole christmas spirit christmas workshop father son relationship hilarious cheerful

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Cast

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell
Buddy
James Caan

James Caan
Walter
Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart
Papa Elf
Ed Asner

Ed Asner
Santa
Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen
Emily
Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel
Jovie
Daniel Tay

Daniel Tay
Michael
Faizon Love

Faizon Love
Gimbels Manager
Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage
Miles Finch
Amy Sedaris

Amy Sedaris
Deb
Michael Lerner

Michael Lerner
Fulton
Andy Richter

Andy Richter
Morris
Kyle Gass

Kyle Gass
Eugene
Artie Lange

Artie Lange
Gimbels Santa
Leon Redbone

Leon Redbone
Leon the Snowman (voice)
Ray Harryhausen

Ray Harryhausen
Polar Bear Cub (voice)
Claire Lautier

Claire Lautier
NY 1 Reporter
Ted Friend

Ted Friend
NY 1 Anchor
Patrick Ferrell

Patrick Ferrell
Security Guard
Patrick McCartney

Patrick McCartney
Security Guard
Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau
Doctor / Mr. Narwhal (voice)
Lydia Lawson-Baird

Lydia Lawson-Baird
Carolyn
Brenda McDonald

Brenda McDonald
Nun
Annie Brebner

Annie Brebner
Elf Student
Luke Pohl

Luke Pohl
Elf Student
Meghan Black

Meghan Black
Elf
Patrick Baynham

Patrick Baynham
Elf
Michael Roberds

Michael Roberds
Disgruntled Cobbler Elf
Peter A. Hulne

Peter A. Hulne
Elf Twin
Patrick Hulne

Patrick Hulne
Elf Twin
Richard Side

Richard Side
Elf Teacher
David-Paul Grove

David-Paul Grove
Pom Pom
Kristian Ayre

Kristian Ayre
Foom Foom
Lorin Heath

Lorin Heath
Perfume Clerk
Dillard Brinson

Dillard Brinson
Printer
Brad Turner

Brad Turner
Office Co-Worker
David Berenbaum

David Berenbaum
Office Co-Worker
Brenda Crichlow

Brenda Crichlow
Office Co-Worker
Oscar Goncalves

Oscar Goncalves
Francisco
Mary Black

Mary Black
Nurse
John Murray

John Murray
Man in Elevator
Mark Acheson

Mark Acheson
Mailroom Guy
Robin Mossley

Robin Mossley
Chuck
Paul Schofield

Paul Schofield
Kid with Santa
Matt Walsh

Matt Walsh
Matt Walsh
Will McCormack

Will McCormack
Witness
Gus Michael

Gus Michael
Witness
Alexandra Michael

Alexandra Michael
Child
Terry J. Scarlatos

Terry J. Scarlatos
Police Officer
Jonathan Bruce

Jonathan Bruce
Biker
Akeem A. Smith

Akeem A. Smith
School Kid
Michael Christopher Fischetti

Michael Christopher Fischetti
School Kid
Jane Bradbury

Jane Bradbury
Susan Welles
Peter Billingsley

Peter Billingsley
Ming Ming (uncredited)
Jay Finocchiaro

Jay Finocchiaro
Passerby (uncredited)
Craig 'Radio Man' Castaldo

Craig 'Radio Man' Castaldo
Radioman (uncredited)
Graeme Duffy

Graeme Duffy
Orange Elf (uncredited)
Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche
Buddy's Belch (voice) (uncredited)
Rachel Lana Li

Rachel Lana Li
Child (uncredited)
Natasha Denis

Natasha Denis
Gimbels Elf (uncredited)
Nance Nickels

Nance Nickels
Extra in crowd (uncredited)
Albert Precourt

Albert Precourt
Passerby (uncredited)
Joe Ranft

Joe Ranft
Store Owner (uncredited)
Jamie Vergan

Jamie Vergan
Ice skater (uncredited)
Max Favreau

Max Favreau
Young Buddy (uncredited)

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Movie Reviews

Reviews for Elf
reviewer avatar

A Review by narrator56 9

Written by narrator56 on 2020-08-18

Okay, this is a fun movie, what I consider to be one of those classic Christmas movies I am willing to watch every year. And for me, that is... read more

Okay, this is a fun movie, what I consider to be one of those classic Christmas movies I am willing to watch every year. And for me, that is a fairly short list, such as A Christmas Story and the ubiquitous It’s a Wonderful Life. (Interestingly, Peter Billingsley, who plays the lead Ralphie role in A Christmas Story, has an adult role in Elf.) The script goes over the top a bit sometimes, resulting in cringeworthy moments for me, but it is harmless and easily forgiven. There is wit, pathos and sight gags galore. I like the chemistry between Will Farrell and Zooey, and it is a treat to have national treasures Ed Asner and Bob Newhart leading off the film as Santa and the Papa elf. James Caan and Mary Steenburgen are credible as Elf’s prospective new family in New York City. So there is not a lot of depth to this movie, nor is there supposed to be. It is a great film to watch with friends or extended family. It shouldn’t offend anyone and you can visit with each other, because you don’t have to pay close attention to the plot. In fact, many viewers will be able to recite he lines along with the characters.

reviewer avatar

A Review by Kamurai 7

Written by Kamurai on 2020-12-10

Good watch, will likely watch again, and can recommend. For all the good this movie has in it, there is a fair amount of annoying as well... read more

Good watch, will likely watch again, and can recommend. For all the good this movie has in it, there is a fair amount of annoying as well, which is what keeps it from being a great movie. A family reconnection trope, with a character out of his element trope, crossed with one of the most annoyingly positive characters of all time trope. Ultimately, it's a sweet, hear warming story that really captures the spirit of family, Christmas, and togetherness. It also captures all of the insanity Will Ferrell can conjure up for his character, basically as if he wrote a SNL Christmas special and just rode rough shod over the other actors. The cast does a wonderful job of backing up Will Ferrell, but that's clearly what it is. Around the holidays, especially, don't be afraid of giving this a try, and bear through the annoying bits, because there is likely something really funny just about to happen.

reviewer avatar

A Review by Wuchak 7

Written by Wuchak on 2020-12-28

_**Destined to be played on TV every Christmas the rest of your life**_ Released in 2003 and directed by Jon Favreau, "Elf" is a Christma... read more

_**Destined to be played on TV every Christmas the rest of your life**_ Released in 2003 and directed by Jon Favreau, "Elf" is a Christmas dramedy/fantasy starring Will Farrell as an orphaned infant who stows away on Santa Claus' sleigh and isn't discovered until he's at the North Pole, where he's adopted by Papa Elf and named Buddy. After growing up as an elf, he travels to New York City to meet his father (James Caan) and starts a relationship with his neglected younger half-brother. He also starts a relationship with a department store worker (Zooey Deschanel) and helps spread Christmas cheer as Santa (Ed Asner) arrives to the city. This is an all-around entertaining Christmas flick highlighted by Farrell's goofiness as the quasi-elf. It's fun with consistent laughs, not to mention a nice Christmas moral. The film runs 97 minutes and was shot in New York City and Vancouver. GRADE: B+

reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2022-11-19

Whilst delivering toys to an orphanage, a curious baby crawls into Santa's sack. Back at the North Pole shortly after, this young lad makes ... read more

Whilst delivering toys to an orphanage, a curious baby crawls into Santa's sack. Back at the North Pole shortly after, this young lad makes his presence felt, is named "Buddy" and put in the care of "Papa Elf" (Bob Newhart). Years later, "Buddy" (Will Ferrell) has now grown to full height and isn't really fitting in - on any level. His adopted dad tells him something of his real parents and off to New Work he goes in search of his father "Walter" (James Caan) who had, hitherto, been completely unaware of this son's existence. Hard-nosed "Walter" is initially disinterested, but thanks to a photograph from years gone by, quickly decides to try and help his green-suited offspring to try and make his way in the world. "Buddy" isn't very good at much, but what he excels at is making friends and spreading good cheer - and all of that proves crucial when Santa (Ed Asner) finds his sleigh won't work on Christmas Eve for lack of Christmas spirit. Can "Buddy" rally the troops - and avoid the menacing Central Park Rangers? This is a jolly and fun Christmas feel-good film that has weathered the last twenty years rather well. The sentiment is well layered, the humour works for all ages and Caan compliments the sometimes cringe-making effusiveness of "Buddy" - aided by sparing but kindly appearances from Mary Steenburgen - well. There is even an hint of a romance for our good-natured soul in the form of "Jovie" (Zooey Deschanel) and as Christmas movies go, this is certainly one of the better ones.

reviewer avatar

A Review by SoSmooth1982 10

Written by SoSmooth1982 on 2023-05-15

In my opinion this is the best Christmas movie ever made. Its so hilarious that you laugh throughout. If you havent seen this, i highly sugg... read more

In my opinion this is the best Christmas movie ever made. Its so hilarious that you laugh throughout. If you havent seen this, i highly suggest that you do.

reviewer avatar

A Review by tmdb51616167 7

Written by tmdb51616167 on 2024-09-02

"Elf" is a holiday movie that has become a beloved classic over the years, despite some reservations about Will Ferrell's acting style. Whil... read more

"Elf" is a holiday movie that has become a beloved classic over the years, despite some reservations about Will Ferrell's acting style. While not initially drawn to Ferrell's comedic performances, the film's charm and heartwarming storyline won over viewers, including those who may not typically enjoy his style of humor. Ferrell's portrayal of the character in "Elf" is noted for its over-the-top and somewhat obnoxious nature, traits that are characteristic of his comedic persona. However, the film's unique take on the holiday genre and its endearing story make it a standout production that has secured its place in the history of Christmas cinema. Despite any reservations about Ferrell's acting, "Elf" has become an iconic film that brings joy, laughter, and a sense of nostalgia to audiences. Its enduring popularity and ability to evoke feelings of warmth and merriment have solidified its status as a holiday classic that families revisit year after year. Overall, "Elf" is celebrated for its humor, heart, and timeless appeal, making it a film that is cherished and enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Its ability to spread holiday cheer and bring people together in laughter is a testament to its enduring legacy in the realm of Christmas movies.

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by Peter McGinn

Okay, this is a fun movie, what I consider to be one of those classic Christmas movies I am willing to watch every year. And for me, that is a fairly short list, such as A Christmas Story and the ubiquitous It’s a Wonderful Life. (Interesti...

reviewer avatar

A Review by narrator56 9

Written by narrator56 on 2020-08-18

Okay, this is a fun movie, what I consider to be one of those classic Christmas movies I am willing to watch every year. And for me, that is a fairly short list, such as A Christmas Story and the ubiq...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by Kamurai 7

Written by Kamurai on 2020-12-10

Good watch, will likely watch again, and can recommend. For all the good this movie has in it, there is a fair amount of annoying as well, which is what keeps it from being a great movie. A fami...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by Wuchak 7

Written by Wuchak on 2020-12-28

_**Destined to be played on TV every Christmas the rest of your life**_ Released in 2003 and directed by Jon Favreau, "Elf" is a Christmas dramedy/fantasy starring Will Farrell as an orphaned infan...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2022-11-19

Whilst delivering toys to an orphanage, a curious baby crawls into Santa's sack. Back at the North Pole shortly after, this young lad makes his presence felt, is named "Buddy" and put in the care of "...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by SoSmooth1982 10

Written by SoSmooth1982 on 2023-05-15

In my opinion this is the best Christmas movie ever made. Its so hilarious that you laugh throughout. If you havent seen this, i highly suggest that you do....

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by tmdb51616167 7

Written by tmdb51616167 on 2024-09-02

"Elf" is a holiday movie that has become a beloved classic over the years, despite some reservations about Will Ferrell's acting style. While not initially drawn to Ferrell's comedic performances, the...

read more