Elf (2003): cast, story & where to watch
2003 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 2003, Elf is a comedy, fantasy and family film directed by Jon Favreau, running about 97 minutes. “This holiday, discover your inner elf.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. Elf stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, James Caan as Walter, Bob Newhart as Papa Elf and Ed Asner as Santa, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, Elf has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $228.5M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Paramount Plus Essential and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Elf page.
If you liked it. Fans of Elf tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Elf (2003)?
- In US, Elf is available to stream on Paramount Plus Essential, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Elf worth watching?
- Elf holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, fantasy and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Elf?
- Elf stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner and Mary Steenburgen.
- When was Elf released?
- Elf was released in 2003, with a runtime of about 97 minutes.