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Elf (2003)

2003 Christmas comedy classic Elf follows Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human raised among Santa's elves at the North Pole, when he sets off to New York to find his biological father (James Caan). After learning that children's book publish Walter Hobbs is his father, Buddy works to immerse himself in human culture - including getting a job in a department store, where he meets and falls in love with fellow "elf" Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). However, when Santa's sleigh crashes and Christmas is threatened, only Buddy can help save the holidays. 

Elf
PG
Family
Comedy
Fantasy
Where to Watch

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Director
Jon Favreau
Release Date
November 7, 2003
Studio(s)
New Line Cinema
Distributor(s)
New Line Cinema , Warner Bros. Pictures
Cast
Will Ferrell , Zooey Deschanel , James Caan , Mary Steenburgen , Edward Asner , Bob Newhart , Daniel Tay
Writers
David Berenbaum
Runtime
97 minutes
Budget
$33 million

Summary

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf in Elf, a 2003 Christmas comedy film directed by Jon Favreau. When Buddy, a not-so-short elf, learns that he isn't an elf but a human raised at the North Pole, he learns from Santa that his biological father is on the naughty list. However, with a little help from Buddy, he could change that. Buddy decides to journey to New York City in search of his father to change his fortune and bring Christmas cheer to the various unhappy citizens of New York City.

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