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IMDbPro

Elf

  • 20032003
  • PGPG
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
264K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,790
1,750
Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
Trailer 2
Play trailer2:31
9 Videos
70 Photos
AdventureComedyFamily
Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christ... Read allRaised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
264K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,790
1,750
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jon Favreau
    • Writer
      • David Berenbaum
    • Stars
      • Will Ferrell
      • James Caan
      • Bob Newhart
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jon Favreau
    • Writer
      • David Berenbaum
    • Stars
      • Will Ferrell
      • James Caan
      • Bob Newhart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 608User reviews
    • 133Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos9

    Elf
    Trailer 2:31
    Elf
    Elf
    Trailer 1:34
    Elf
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Clip 2:37
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Full Episode 3:11
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Sydney Sweeney Watches Christmas Movies All Year Long
    Full Episode 3:34
    Sydney Sweeney Watches Christmas Movies All Year Long
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    Video 3:33
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    What Roles Has Will Ferrell Turned Down?
    Video 3:38
    What Roles Has Will Ferrell Turned Down?
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    Video 2:34
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?

    Photos70

    James Caan, Will Ferrell, and Amy Sedaris in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell and Bob Newhart in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell, Kristian Ayre, Peter Billingsley, Meghan Black, David Avalon, Patrick Baynham, Graeme Duffy, and Reginald Colin Rowley in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell and Daniel Tay in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    James Caan and Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
    Edward Asner, Peter Billingsley, and Bob Newhart in Elf (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Will Ferrell
    Will Ferrell
    • Buddy
    James Caan
    James Caan
    • Walter
    Bob Newhart
    Bob Newhart
    • Papa Elf
    Zooey Deschanel
    Zooey Deschanel
    • Jovie
    Edward Asner
    Edward Asner
    • Santa
    Mary Steenburgen
    Mary Steenburgen
    • Emily
    Daniel Tay
    • Michael
    Faizon Love
    Faizon Love
    • Gimbel's 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
    • Gimbel's Santa
    Leon Redbone
    Leon Redbone
    • Leon the Snowman
    • (voice)
    Ray Harryhausen
    Ray Harryhausen
    • Polar Bear Cub
    • (voice)
    Claire Lautier
    Claire Lautier
    • News Reporter Charlotte Denon
    Ted Friend
    Ted Friend
    • NY 1 Anchor
    • Director
      • Jon Favreau
    • Writer
      • David Berenbaum
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Who Was Almost Buddy the Elf?

    Who Was Almost Buddy the Elf?

    Jim Carrey as Buddy the Elf? It almost happened! Check out who else almost starred in your favorite Christmas movies.
    Find out
    Image caption not available
    2:34

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Several minor traffic accidents occurred when Will Ferrell walked through the Lincoln Tunnel in his costume, because people were so surprised (and distracted from their driving) to see him wearing an elf outfit.
    • Goofs
      When Buddy chases Michael down the street from the school, a crew member in a yellow hat can be seen trying to duck back behind a doorway of a house on the street.
    • Quotes

      Buddy: [thinking Miles is an elf] Did you have to borrow a reindeer to get down here?

      Miles Finch: Hey, jackweed, I get more action in a week than you've had in your entire life. I've got houses in L.A., Paris and Vail. In each one, a 70 inch plasma screen. So I suggest you wipe that stupid smile off your face before I come over there and SMACK it off! You feeling strong, my friend? Call me elf one more time.

      Buddy: [after a pause] He's an angry elf.

      [Miles promptly attacks him]

    • Crazy credits
      The Snowman closes out the movie by saluting and winking at the camera
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: James Caan/David Cross/Greg Behrendt (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Pennies From Heaven
      (1936)

      Music by Arthur Johnston

      Lyrics by Johnny Burke

      Performed by Louis Prima

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

    User reviews608

    Review
    Top review
    A really nice, funny movie for Christmas despite a little bit of the inevitable smaltz
    Accidentally finding his way into Santa's bad once Christmas Eve, little baby orphan Buddy ends up in the north pole, where he is raised by the elves as one of their own. As he gets ever bigger and less and less suited to the elf lifestyle he is told about his real father and decides to go to New York to find him. However Buddy's natural smile and elfish enthusiasm doesn't really fit in with New York, not to mention a father who rejects him.

    When I first saw the trailer for this film I laughed slightly but I also thought that it could easily be just awful. Despite this fear I decided to go and see it on the basis of seeing Ferrell in the Reloaded MTV spoof on the DVD and being very funny. I was glad that I did as the film was refreshingly funny very enjoyable despite the weaknesses inherent in a seasonable film of this nature. The jokes are a mix of adult and children - but not separately, the humour is of a nature families can all enjoy rather than being of a `one for me and one for the kids' type.

    The film does get a little sweet towards the end, but it manages to avoid this usual trap for the majority of the film and can't be expected to not be all Christmas cheer at some point! The fish out of water stuff is pretty funny and Farrell makes his character funny without being annoying to the audience (as he feared he might be from the trailer). Caan is good but has to work with the `scrooge' character of the film and thus gets fewer laughs. The support cast is good with fun turns from Newhart, Asner and Steenburger.

    It does get a little sickly sweet towards the end and the fish out of water jokes do wear a little thin towards the end but mostly it is very funny and refreshingly fun to watch. The film is made better by a performance from Farrell that is perfectly pitched without being annoying and full of spark and wit.
    helpful•74
    25
    • bob the moo
    • Nov 16, 2003

    FAQ4

    • What is 'Elf' about?
    • Is 'Elf' based on a book?
    • How did the elves know that the baby's name was Buddy?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Enchanted
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Guy Walks into a Bar Productions
      • Gold/Miller Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $33,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $177,874,109
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $32,100,000
      • Nov 9, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $225,097,437
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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