Christmas Spirit is Believing Without Seeing

While Elf, starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, was released twenty years ago, it remains a favorite Christmas film among families everywhere. However, it is nothing about the Christian Christmas, but it embraces the Christmas spirit. In this Elf Christian Movie Review, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

In fact, this year is the twentieth anniversary of the release of Elf. This is such a Christmas classic that if you are only going to watch one comedy this holiday season, you should make it Elf. 

Elf Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

One Christmas Eve a long time ago, a baby crawled into Santa’s bag of toys… Raised as an elf, Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows into an adult three times larger than the biggest elf–and realizes that he will never truly fit in at the North Pole. This holiday season, Buddy goes looking for his true place in the world–in New York City. Buddy finds his workaholic father (James Caan)–who’s on Santa’s “naughty” list, a new mother (Mary Steenburgen) and a 10-year-old brother who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or elves. Here, now, Buddy discovers his destiny–to save Christmas for New York and the world!​

My Synopsis:

When Santa stops at an orphanage to deliver presents, a baby climbs into Santa’s sack. When Santa returns to the North Pole the baby is discovered wearing only a diaper that says, “Buddy’s Diapers.”

An elf, later known as Papa Elf (played by Edward Asner) offers to raise the baby, that Santa’s Elves name Buddy, as his own. When Buddy discovers he is human, he sets off on an adventure to the real world to find his real father in New York City. After living in the North Pole his entire life, he has trouble navigating life in the Big City. Additionally, Buddy’s father is on the naughty list. Can Buddy make a difference in Walter Hobbs’ life?

Elf Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

The Lord’s name is taken in vain. “Oh my g-d,” and derivatives such as “oh my gosh” are used.

Furthermore, h-ll, d-mn, p-ssed, son of a nutcracker, and up yours are used. 

One character calls himself a cotton-headed ninny muggins. Another character says, “What in the name of Sam Hill is that?”

Additionally, a man says, “I get more action in one week,” referring to sex.

Violence:

A tree catches on fire with elves inside. They rush out of the burning tree.

A raccoon hisses at Buddy and then jumps at him and attacks. He also gets hit by a car but gets back up. Security throws a man out of an office. 

There is a fight in Santa Land at the mall. It occurs between the mall Santa and Buddy the Elf.

Additionally, there is a snowball fight in the park with kids and Buddy the Elf. It is two against several kids. Buddy gets hit in the face, as does another kid. 

A boss screams at his employee. Furthermore, another man, who is a dwarf, attacks Buddy and throws him around a conference room. Finally, Buddy’s real dad screams at him to get out of his life.

Spiritual Content:

A nun is shown in an orphanage. Additionally, another nun appears in a publisher’s office.

While this movie is about Christmas, it is not a spiritual Christmas that is being celebrated. It is the secular Christmas with Santa, elves, and shopping. However, there is plenty of talk of “Christmas spirit.”

Adult Content:

Buddy was born out of wedlock and given up for adoption. Later, he is taken to the doctor for a paternity test. 

A gnome is shown with an empty beer mug, and he burps. Additionally, a man has a bottle of alcohol, and Buddy puts some “syrup” in his coffee. Later, he is shown drunk. 

A female is shown in the shower. Buddy goes into the locker room because he hears her singing. Later, she asks him why he was in the locker room with her naked. He says he didn’t know she was naked.

He also buys skimpy lingerie for his dad. The joke is that the sign says “For someone special,” and Buddy doesn’t understand what it is used for.

Furthermore, he takes his tights off in the kitchen. While nothing is shown, a woman walks in and screams at seeing him.

Buddy and his girlfriend kiss.

Other Content:

Buddy accuses the mall Santa of being fake. He rips off his beard and the two fight. Santa tries to attack Buddy with a metal pole. Buddy gets arrested. 

A troll passes gas.

Additionally, the elf outfits for the men involve a long jacket with matching tights. 

Furthermore, Elf is shown doing things that you will not want your child doing, such as picking off gum from a handrail and eating it, running through a revolving door, pushing all the buttons on an elevator, spraying “fruit spray” perfume in his mouth, jumps on beds in a department store, looks over a stall to talk with a person in the public restroom; he eats cotton balls, he drinks an entire 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola and then burps for a very long time. 

Additionally, Buddy makes “breakfast” with spaghetti, marshmallows, maple syrup, Pop-Tarts, chocolate syrup, and candies, and then he eats it with his hands.

Finally, a Christmas tree is brought home. It was chopped down in front of the park.

Buddy calls a dwarf an elf.

Lying:

Several characters lie throughout the movie. Buddy is not told that he is human until he is older. 

Positive Content:

While much of what Buddy does is immature and wrong, he has good intentions. Additionally, Buddy has a childlike quality that we should emulate. He loves everybody and is kind to everyone he meets.

Furthermore, Buddy says that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Singing Christmas carols is such a great activity. Consider going Christmas caroling in your neighborhood or get a group together and go to a nursing home!

Teachable Moments with Elf:

While watching this movie, have your kids make lists of “wrong behavior” that Buddy exhibits, such as eating gum off of a handrail, running through a department store or jumping on the mattress in the store. Discuss why it is wrong to do those things.

Additionally, Buddy does some dangerous things. For example, he repeatedly runs into the street. While he is hit once, he doesn’t get injured. Depending on your child’s age, they may or may not have had pets hit by cars. However, in our neck of the woods, we can see dead animals that have been hit by vehicles sitting on the side of the road regularly.

Buddy chops down a Christmas tree in the park. Obviously, removing government property or someone else’s property is wrong and considered stealing.

The infamous DNA test at the doctor’s office to find out if Walter is Elf’s biological father: The year is 2003. While DNA tests were being performed, there is no way that the test results would be back that quickly. Even now DNA tests take more time.

What is the Christmas spirit? In the secular world, it has a different meaning than to someone with a Biblical worldview. While Elf on the Shelf is popular, it is not Christian. However, you can incorporate Elf on the Shelf with the real meaning of Christmas (ideas here).

Christian Movie Review of Elf – My Viewing Recommendations

Buddy the Elf is exuberant about everything. In one scene, he says, “I’m in love. I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it.”  While he is talking about love for a girl, he also exhibits the same kind of passion throughout the movie. He is kind, loves everyone, and is very childlike. 

These are all qualities that, as Christians, we should strive to be like. It is for these reasons that I can recommend seeing this movie. While it doesn’t talk about the Christian Christmas, it does showcase faith in something you cannot see. 

About the Elf Movie:

Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and language

Release Date: November 7, 2003

Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Genre: Family/Christmas Comedy

Studio: New Line Cinema, Guy Walks Into a Bar

Director: Jon Favreau

Written by: David Berenbaum

Producer: Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki, Shauna Robertson

Editors by: Dan Lebental

Music by: John Debney

Distributed by: New Line Cinema

The Cast of Elf:

Buddy Hobbs (Buddy the Elf) played by Will Ferrell

Water Hobbs played by James Caan

Jovie played by Zooey Deschanel

Emily Hobbs played by Mary Steenburgen

Santa Claus played by Ed Asner

Papa Elf played by Bob Newhart

Michael Hobbs played by Daniel Tay

Wand played by Faizon Love

Miles Finch played by Peter Dinklage

Deb (Walter’s secretary) played by Amy Sedaris

Fulton Greenway played by Michael Lerner

Morris played by Andy Richter

Eugene Dupree played by Kyle Gass

Fake Store Santa played by Artie Lange

Dr.Ben Leonardo played by Jon Favreau

Eye Witness played by Matt Walsh

Ming Ming (head elf) played by Peter Billingsley

Mailroom Worker played by Mark Acheson

Charlotte (the newscaster) played by Claire Lautier

Voice Cast:

Leon the Snowman voiced by Leon Redbone

Polar Bear Cub voiced by Ray Harryhausen

Baby Walrus voiced by Jon Favreau

Elf Christian Movie Review – Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Elf?

Elf is currently streaming on Max. Additionally, it can also be streamed on common VOD (Video on Demand) outlets such as Amazon, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.

Is Elf streaming on Disney+? 

No, Elf is not streaming on Disney+. However, Elf can be found on Hulu beginning November 23, 2023.

Is Elf streaming on Peacock?

No. Elf is not streaming on Peacock. However, it currently is streaming on Max.

How much did it cost to produce Elf?

The budget for Elf was $33 million.

How does Buddy get from the North Pole to New York City? 

“First, I traveled through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest, past the sea of twirly, swirly gumdrops. And then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.”

What are the four main food groups for Buddy the Elf?

Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corns, and Syrup.

Is Elf suitable for a 7-year-old?

Yes, Elf is suitable for a 7-year-old to watch. However, my age recommendations are five and up.

Was Elf filmed in NYC?

While parts of Elf were filmed in New York City, the interior scenes were filmed in an abandoned mental hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. Furthermore, you can even take your own Elf Movie Tour in New York. The following locations were filmed in NYC: 

The Lincoln Tunnel

The Empire State Building where Buddy’s Dad, Walter Hobbs, works.

Central Park is where Santa’s sleigh has landed on Christmas Eve.

Bethesda Terrace is the location where Buddy and Santa escape from the Central Park Rangers.

​Defunct Gimbel’s Department Store – with CGI enhancements.

Rockefeller Plaza to see the big tree and for ice skating.

Who Sings the Songs in Elf?

Pennies from Heaven by Louis Prima

Sleigh Ride by Ella Fitzgerald

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow by Lena Horne

Sleigh Ride/Santa Claus Party by Ferrante and Teicher/Les Baxter

Baby It’s Cold OUtside by Leon Redbone/Zooey Deschanel

Jingle Bells by Jim Reeves

Nutcracker Suite by Brian Setzer

Christmas Island by Leon Redbone

Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt

Winter Wonderland by Leon Redbone

Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Eddy Arnold

Nothing from Nothing by Billy Preston

Other Christmas Films Worth Watching:

A Christmas Story Christmas Movie

Journey to Bethlehem