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Elf

Elf

2003
Comedy, Family/Kids
1h 37m
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Hobbs, on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter's relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities. (imdb)
Your probable score
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Elf

2003
Comedy, Family/Kids
1h 37m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 41.91% from 9537 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(9537)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 14 Aug 2007
0
0th
I already knew Will Ferrell was a retarded manchild from watching Saturday Night Live... I didn't need a whole movie to tell me that! It's probably not *that* bad of a movie, but in high school they insisted on playing this movie in EVERY CLASS on the last day before Christmas vacation every year. And the last thing I want to put up with before I go on a two-week vacation is a fucking shitty movie.
Rated 09 Dec 2018
70
53rd
Will Farrell's reverted manchild schtick achieves such a powerful, magnetic singularity, even his singing, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is treated solely on its most unassuming, positive, humanistic qualities. It might even save Christmas. One of the few films - Christmasy or otherwise - that improves with each viewing. Santa's Sleigh seems to need that much more help/cheer each year.
Rated 18 Sep 2008
69
58th
Like "Zathura" and "Iron Man", Favreau's "Elf" marries the heart and soul of a children's film with the mind and weight of adult problems. Ferrell is up to his usual LOUD NOISES routine, but this is a character that it really works for, and he and Caan have very good chemistry together. Zooey singing Christmas carols is something I can't say no too either. I love the use of stop-motion in the North Pole segments. Overall, it's the best kid-friendly Christmas flick in a long while.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
64th
Great fun, true "family movie" for today's audiences.
Rated 09 Sep 2007
72
47th
Silly in parts, but with definite charm. And, of course, Newhart steals the scenes he's in.
Rated 24 Oct 2011
86
51st
Very enjoyable and a solid heartwarming Christmas tale that feels original and fresh! Elf is carried by Ferrell's funniest performance and good supporting actors as well as a solid sense of humor and Christmas cheer. If you haven't seen this yet, you need to at least once.
Rated 14 Dec 2014
78
61st
Ferrell's limited talent is overshadowed by Zooey's nonexistent talent. On the plus side, James Caan shows off the same comedic timing that made Rollerball so danged hilarious.
Rated 07 Dec 2016
85
86th
I will put up with you every year for time eternal around Christmastime because you bring joy.
Rated 27 Dec 2019
5
25th
Light on plot (feels like the climax in Central Park was the first major event), and the "Christmas spirit" motif feels a little shoehorned in on top of the family/redemption arc, but Ferrell's goofy and (syrupy) sweet fish-out-of-water schtick is infectious (answering the phone: "Buddy the Elf, what's your favourite colour?") and is complemented by a good smattering of other delights (see Newhart's matter-of-fact Papa Elf and the rest of the solid supporting cast; stop-motion North Pole).
Rated 12 Dec 2020
65
70th
Rewatch x2. A lot of heart makes this a holiday staple. Doesn't have the cynicism that a lot of holiday films feel necessary. Will Ferrell's overgrown loud childish persona works well here. I wish they leaned more in the comedy. Blonde Zooey Deschanel doesn't work as well. I liked that all the elves were well-intentioned. Bob Newhart's size gags didn't get old. The plot doesn't make sense. Fav scene: fighting the fake Santa and then the manager comes in with the best "oh hell no" reaction.
Rated 15 Aug 2008
72
45th
Ferrell's best venture into the realm of family films. It might actually be his best performance and, in reality, is a bit self-revealing. Aside from his ridiculous man-child display, Zooey is great, James Caan is an ideal casting to play Buddy's oft-irritated father and Bob Newhart is truly funny in his limited screen time. It's one of few modern additions to the list of Holiday Classics.
Rated 08 Jan 2015
74
68th
This is really likeable, and stands up to repeat viewings. Possibly the best use of Ferrell's manchild persona I've seen. Good turns from Caan, Deschanel and Dinklage as well. Perhaps watching it around the festive season helps...Funny and somewhat touching.
Rated 23 Dec 2020
57
34th
What is it with American Christmas movies and people contemplating suicide on bridges? I must have missed that verse of every Christmas carol ever.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
78
76th
Will Ferrell, one of the funniest leading men in the movies today, playing perhaps the most inspired holiday-character ever created, in a joyous celebration of the Christmas spirit. You wouldn't think Ferrell could shed the sexual innuendos and still make you bust a gut, but his innocence here is so easily admirable that it may be one of his funniest performances.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
70
58th
Just saw this the other day... GREAT Christmas movie for kids. Will Farrell is slooowwllly growing on me. Slowly.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
51st
This movie is way more charming than it has any right to be.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
52nd
What should have been another annoying Will Ferrell movie turned out to be a very sweet, light hearted flick. I really enjoyed this flick and I hope it will hold up over the years. It may become a classic. Bob Newhart rocks.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
84th
About time Hollywood produced another decent Xmas movie. Elf is Capra-esque, but also quite original. Not to mention very amusing and heartwarming (but rarely pandering) too. Will Farrell is just too funny. This is really good stuff, I was laughing hard and even moved a bit.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
85
66th
I love Will Ferrell & Zooey Deschanel is really cute in this. And can SING! I mean, really, she's awesome in that song!
Rated 20 Feb 2008
88
91st
Funny movie. Great special effects to portray Ferrell as big as he is. Sadly my date has fallen asleep both times I have attempted to watch it with her. Great performance by Arthur Lange, and I never realized how well Zoey can sing.
Rated 29 May 2009
83
77th
Ferrell's funny and charming performance makes Elf a delightful Christmas comedy.
Rated 05 Sep 2009
53
49th
Add 10 points if you're watching it during the Christmas season, subtract 10 if you're not. Turns out to have a major impact on whether I find this annoying or touching.
Rated 28 Oct 2009
95
56th
Will Ferrell does it again..another hilarious movie and I love how they included peter billingsly as one of the elves awesome idea to do that. I also think that Zooey Deschanel does an awesome job.
Rated 20 Dec 2009
45
17th
I will be honest-- I generally dislike Will Ferrell. In small doses, his over-the-top style of comedy can work, but I find him to be far too much to stomach in large quantities. Ferrell's insanity is kept on a bit of a leash here, but the trite "holiday film" narrative frequently undermines what is at times a charming little family movie.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
83
49th
When Will ferrell turns down the raunchiness, he's still funnier than a lot of comedians. Put him in an elf suit, and you've got a winner.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
67
57th
Not great but still leaps and bounds above 90% of Christmas movies that have come out in recent years.
Rated 19 Jul 2011
84
62nd
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.
Rated 19 Aug 2011
93
95th
If you watch Hocus Pocus for Halloween and Elf for Christmastime, you've basically done your entire year right and all the rest is just piddly details.
Rated 17 Dec 2014
70
46th
Ahh 2003... Back when we still hadn't realized that Zooey Deschanel can't act. Back when Will Ferrell was fresh out of SNL. It was a simpler time. Elf had and has anything you'll ever want from a christmas movie. It's sweet, corny, funny and timeless. I have long ago grown tired of Zooey Deschanel's whole hipster shtick and I wince when she speaks ,but for 97 minutes when I watch Elf, I find myself falling in love with her all over again, and I remember 2003. Ahh 2003. It was a simpler time.
Rated 21 Dec 2014
64
56th
The closest we will ever have of McKay directing Ferrell in a PG Christmas film. Conventional light fantasy most of the time, but with hilarious bits that truly makes this fun as hell.
Rated 28 Dec 2015
65
42nd
Probably the only Will Ferrell movie I will ever like. You have to be in the mood to watch a grown man run around New York in elf tights acting like an autist. It's hilarious if you're just prepared for some real stupid laughs. The cast is surprisingly strong. Bob Newhart's deadpan papa elf is great and so is Caan. There's a Peter Dinklage appearance halfway through the movie too.
Rated 21 Dec 2016
61
50th
In many ways a simple movie, but still successful in creating a spirited family comedy through its goofy and charming sense of humor.
Rated 02 Jan 2018
95
82nd
Perfect for adults and their kids. Will Farrell outshines even his funniest material for adults with a performance so adorable and honest. James Caan holds his own, especially towards the end of the film. Against such pessimistic odds it's wonderful to see such an optimistic main character. Although it's a holiday film, it could still be enjoyed throughout the year as a charming and not-to-taxing family comedy.
Rated 14 Mar 2018
76
76th
After re-watching this in theaters for Elf's 15th anniversary. I have to say this movie has grown on me. Elf is a true modern day classic Christmas movie.
Rated 22 Dec 2019
72
26th
Blonde Zooey Deschanel was very unnerving to me.
Rated 14 Jul 2020
89
73rd
Like most Christmas films, Elf is full of sugary sweet nostalgia, but, just like its title character, the film somehow makes its over-abundance of happiness and silliness work for it. Will Ferrell is the film's heart, throwing off his more adult comedy persona and portraying what is essentially a big kid trapped in an adult's body. As familiar as the Christmas movie genre is, Elf still manages to create some unique scenes of its own that will make the film a modern Christmas classic for years.
Rated 20 Dec 2022
70
52nd
I feel like even if it's only a decent Christmas film, with repeated viewings, my enjoyment of it slowly goes up. In a few years, my Criticker is just going to be me hooting about "Christmas With the Kranks".
Rated 08 Dec 2006
44
8th
Probably a better movie for the kds.
Rated 25 Dec 2006
50
9th
A good kids movie at christmas. Not a lot of funnies for the grown ups though
Rated 27 Dec 2006
77
53rd
A lot of people billed this movie as SUPER AWESOME before I saw it, so it was a letdown, but it's not the worst movie in the world either. Good around Christmas.
Rated 30 Dec 2006
90
70th
im usually the last person to see any will ferell movie but this was a shocker along with talledega nights (sp). i really enjoyed them both.
Rated 29 Jan 2007
7
68th
A fun, cute kids movie
Rated 24 Feb 2007
70
24th
Not exactly memorable but a light fun movie to watch at Christmas time with a couple of quotes you may find yourself saying a few days later.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
80
76th
Loses some steam towards the end, and the little boy is a crummy actor, but it's a cute and often hilarious movie.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
60
12th
A bit schmaltzy, but probably a good choice if you're looking for a film the whole family can enjoy. (A real one, not the fake kind.)
Rated 18 Mar 2007
62
29th
Funny movie but really nothing special.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
3
38th
Will Ferrell normally isn't my thing but this is very funny and entertaining in an innocent, charming way.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
66
41st
This is NOT going to be a holiday classic. The Santa Clause with Tim Allen is a better holiday film. Ferrell is funny and there are some genuinely great scenes in this movie, but we try to tie it all together with a bullshit plot...
Rated 25 Mar 2007
65
31st
James Caan and Bob Newhart were good choices. Ferrell is mostly love-hate for me, but this is one where I'm on the fence.
Rated 31 Mar 2007
80
66th
I would watch Will Farrel do his taxes for two hours.
Rated 02 Apr 2007
76
69th
Funnier than just about any kids movie I've ever seen but it still drags, like every other kids movie.
Rated 10 Apr 2007
76
45th
Surprisingly sweet and funny.
Rated 26 May 2007
65
62nd
Was pretty funny the first few times I watched it.
Rated 11 Jun 2007
30
2nd
Horribly unfunny and charmless.
Rated 25 Jun 2007
65
32nd
Funny, but by God Will Ferrell is annoying! The ending is sweet though.
Rated 26 Jun 2007
85
55th
Severely underrated. Great for the whole family.
Rated 30 Jun 2007
80
52nd
Family comedies aren't hard to come by, but good ones certainly are. This is a rare good one, and shockingly so, considering the gimmicky premise. Ferrell manages to make it work, and Favreau's creation of a world where you could see him existing is very well done.
Rated 03 Jul 2007
90
46th
For some reason I absolutely fucking loved this movie. It holds a special place in my heart.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
0
0th
Dear God, this movie was awful.
Rated 03 Aug 2007
70
19th
Inoffensive but forgettable holiday comedy. A bit overlong.
Rated 07 Aug 2007
75
47th
Fun to watch around xmas, and thats it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
79th
Will Ferrell good, Zooey Deshanel Great
Rated 14 Aug 2007
48
46th
Will Ferell really disappoints in this overly juvenile (look how loud he burps! heehee!) yuletide family film. Syrupy sweet ending in which we all learn a valuable lesson? Check! Laugh-out loud comedy?...maybe you should stick with Old School...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
53rd
I enjoyed this immensely.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
10
3rd
Why do people like Will Ferrell?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
8th
love will ferell not a fan of this one
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
3rd
This is your brain... this is your brain watching... I can't finish. I turned off the movie about half way in. The pain was too much.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
72nd
As stupid as it was, I laughed a lot.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
66
69th
Gratingly charming, Wil Farrel's man-boy screaming is actually appropriate for once, and the kid's movie wins.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
86th
I think this is a great holiday film full of laughter and feel-goodness.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
21st
A fun, lighthearted movie starring Will Ferrell as an oversized elf lost in New York looking for his father. Whilst Ferrell isn't the most believable 'innocent', James Caan provides a nice counterpoint to him as his natural father.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
28th
I get the novelty of it all. I truly do. That said, I'm a bigger fan of most other Will Ferrell movies. Compare this to something like Anchorman and see just how flat it falls.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
43rd
decent
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
90th
Sure to be a holiday classic in the years to come... if you don't feel like watching this around Christmas time there's something wrong with you.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
71st
Feel Good Movie!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
91st
Loved it, one of my favorite Christmas movies.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
58th
Gotta love will ferrell
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
64th
Will Ferrell is one of the best comedy actors nowadays. You just can't stop laughing with his improvisations.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
42nd
Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell, which is pretty funny. One of those feel good movies you need to see once in a while.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
71st
this movie is great to watch around Christmas and it is super funny!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
62
27th
A little funnier than most christmas movies I guess.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
89th
One of the funniest movies ever!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
82nd
Will Ferrell in an elf suit. That pretty much says everything about it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
50th
Almost really funny . . . reminds me of The Jerk in an odd way, except Steve Martin in his prime was funnier than Will Ferrell is allowed to be here.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
49th
Good up until the last 35ish minutes.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
78th
Charming
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
35th
funny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
50th
Another family comedy that has a star who is most well known for his adult parts in movies and television, but adds a certain spice to the entertainment. Littered with hilarious scenes of child-like mischeif and jokes. This movie is a must see for the X-Mas season.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
35th
Good if you like these Christmas crap films.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
37th
Think of all the Will Ferrell movies you can. If Elf is one that immediately came to mind, I'd be surprised. It's a funny and cute film, and it has a very powerful and sappy ending, but it's very easily forgotten. Meh!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
51st
Silly.Just Silly. But I do love Mary Steenburgen.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
29th
Ok. I like Will but still...pretty weak script.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
22nd
One of those movies you only ever watch on an airplane, and then only because there's nothing else available.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
40th
More banal yet tickled.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
76th
I thought it was as great as Christmas story & Christmas Vacation. I laughed til my sides hurt.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
25
12th
Less horrible christmas movie, more Will Ferrell + Bob Newhart buddy comedy next time
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
39th
A classic holiday flick. Will Ferrell at his innocent best.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
35th
Quite amusing worth a watch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
69
37th
Fun times, I expected it to be terrible but it wasn't so much.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
26th
The story was cute enough that it was definitely a fun movie. It just wasn't very funny.

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