We’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Elf with a look back at the beloved Christmas film and other holiday classics. Becoming a classic Christmas movie that families watch year after year is a difficult feat, but Elf has remained a holiday mainstay in the 20 years since its release. The Will Ferrell-led film is frequently featured on lists of the best Christmas films of all time with Entertainment Weekly hailing Elf as “the best Christmas flick of the century,” and The A.V. Club raving that “Christmas movies don’t get much better (or funnier) than Elf,” and calling it an “endlessly rewatchable holiday comedy” that is “truly hilarious and heartfelt. Ahead of its 20th anniversary, Ferrell speculated about the reason behind the film’s staying power. “I think [it’s] because it’s beautifully uncynical. It’s a character who’s excited by everything that’s kind of mundane to us in our normal life. It’s a fish-out-of-water story. It’s just very sweet and hopeful, and turns out it was funny,” the actor said during a 2022 appearance on the BBC’s The One Show. “Little did we know we were making a movie that would stand the test of time. If Christmas movies are one of your favorite things about the holidays, dive into this festive 100-page special issue for cast and crew members’ memories of the making of Elf, as well as behind-the-scenes photos from the set of the movie. We also look back at 100 other beloved holiday films and TV specials, including It’s a231013 Wonderful Life, Love Actually, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Home Alone, White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie!). Whether you’re into family fun, animated classics, action flicks or even holiday horror movies, you’ll find your all favorites here.
The Complete Fan Guide to ELF + The Best Holiday Movies
THE BEST OF THE BEST • WE’RE CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELF WITH A LOOK BACK AT THE BELOVED CHRISTMAS FILM AND OTHER HOLIDAY FAVORITES.
HOW ELF CAME TO BE • IT WAS A LONG ROAD TO GET THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC GREENLIGHTED.
UNDENIABLE CHEMISTRY • THE ACTORS WHO SIGNED ON TO STAR IN ELF MAY HAVE SEEMED MISMATCHED AT FIRST—AND SOME OF THEM BUTTED HEADS ON THE SET—BUT ON-SCREEN THEY MADE MOVIE MAGIC.
WILL FERRELL • THE SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE ALUM WAS PERFECTLY CAST—NO OTHER ACTOR COULD’VE MADE THE TITULAR ELF AS LOVABLE.
ZOOEY DESCHANEL • THE ACTRESS WAS ONLY 21 WHEN SHE MADE THE BELOVED FILM, BUT SHE LATER REVEALED HER KIDS WERE SCARED OF ELF.
JAMES CAAN • THE CREW WAS NERVOUS ABOUT WORKING WITH THE GODFATHER ACTOR, WHO SAID HE ONLY DID ELF FOR THE MONEY.
BOB NEWHART
NO SMALL ROLES • MANY FAMOUS FACES ROUNDED OUT THE ELF ENSEMBLE.
STANDOUT CAMEOS
MAKING THE MOVIE • TROUBLE BEHIND THE SCENES LED TO WORRIES THAT ELF WOULD NEVER BE RELEASED.
A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC IS BORN • ELF OUTPERFORMED EXPECTATIONS TO BECOME ONE OF THE ALL-TIME HIGHEST-GROSSING HOLIDAY FILMS.
FUN FACTS ARE MY FAVORITE • EVEN ELF’S MOST DEVOTED FANS MAY NOT KNOW THESE BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRETS.
FINDING IN SPIRATION • RANKIN/BASS CHRISTMAS SPECIALS PROVIDED A BLUEPRINT FOR BUDDY THE ELF’S WORLD.
CHRISTMAS CLASSICS • IF ELF WHET YOUR APPETITE FOR MORE FESTIVE FARE, WE’RE LOOKING BACK AT HOLIDAY MOVIES AND TV SPECIALS, FROM FEEL-GOOD FAMILY FAVORITES TO ACTION FILMS AND HORROR FLICKS.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE • BELIEVE IT OR NOT, FRANK CAPRA’S CHRISTMAS CLASSIC WAS ONCE REPORTED TO THE HOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE AS A DANGEROUS COMMUNIST THREAT.
BLACK & WHITE TREASURES • JAMES STEWART, BARBARA STANWYCK, CARY GRANT AND MORE SILVER-SCREEN LEGENDS STARRED IN MONOCHROMATIC CHRISTMAS FAVORITES.
LOVE ACTUALLY • WHY HUGH GRANT DIDN’T WANT TO SHOOT THE FILM’S...