With Christmastime approaching quickly, many film and Christmas lovers and fanatics swarm streamingservices and network television to find the perfect Christmas movie to watch for the holidays. Some such favorites include Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, The Polar Express, Jingle All the Way, and especially Elf, starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. Elf follows Buddy as he attempts to reconnect with his biological father, though things don't go as planned.
Elf is an instant holiday classic, and Buddy the Elf is a Christmastime icon for his festive cheer as he attempts to get everyone he sees in the holiday spirit. And his spirit is absolutely contagious; it's hard not to get into the Christmas mood when watching Will Ferrell's cheery performance. But while Buddy the Elf is a fan-favorite, who else is another great character in this classic film? From the grumpy to those with Christmas cheer, here are the best characters in Elf.
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Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Release Date
October 9, 2003
CastWill Ferrell
, James Caan
, Bob Newhart
, Ed Asner
, Mary Steenburgen
, Zooey Deschanel
, Daniel Tay
, Faizon Love
, Peter Dinklage
, Amy Sedaris
, Michael Lerner
, Andy Richter
, Kyle Gass
, Artie Lange
, Leon Redbone
, Ray Harryhausen
, Claire Lautier
, Ted Friend
, Patrick Ferrell
, Patrick McCartney
, Jon Favreau
, Lydia Lawson-Baird
, Brenda McDonald
, Annie Brebner
Runtime
97 minutes
Character(s)
Buddy
, Walter
, Papa Elf
, Santa
, Emily
, Jovie
, Michael
, Gimbels Manager
, Miles Finch
, Deb
, Fulton
, Morris
, Eugene
, Gimbels Santa
, Leon the Snowman
, Polar Bear Cub
, NY 1 Reporter
, NY 1 Anchor
, Security Guard
, Doctor / Mr. Narwhal
, Carolyn
, Nun
, Elf Student
Writers
David Berenbaum
Budget
$33 million
Studio(s)
New Line Cinema
Distributor(s)
New Line Cinema
, Warner Bros. Pictures
Main Genre
Comedy
10
Miles Finch
Played by Peter Dinklage
Image via New Line Cinema
Miles Finch, played by the famous Peter Dinklage, is the bestselling author who comes to New York City to help pitch ideas for a children’s book due to the creative struggle and strain on the other employees. After Walter Hobbs (James Caan) finds himself in a tight spot right around Christmas, he invites Miles Finch to help pitch ideas for a new book. With brilliant ideas in mind, Miles Finch agrees to come Christmas Eve to discuss book ideas. Upon his first introduction, Miles Finch is seen as an incredibly intimidating character.
Upon his first introduction, Miles Finch is seen as an incredibly intimidating character.
Though an interesting character, Miles Finch by far is at the bottom in terms of Christmas cheer. Intelligent and professional, Miles Finch gets into a physical altercation with Buddy, though under certain contexts, it’s not entirely his fault when he thought Buddy was inherently offensive without realizing it. Still, his attitude from the get-go was sour.
9
Gimbel's Manager
Played by Faizon Love
Image via New Line Cinema
The manager at Gimbel's (Faizon Love) is an interesting one; without once checking to see if he knew Buddy as an employee, he simply sends Buddy off to work. Not to mention, he is shown to be very tense during the Christmas season, replicating the anxiety experienced during the holidays. Though somewhat silly at times— assuming that his employer is out to get him— this manager is not one to be messed with, as he takes the holiday season very seriously.
The Gimbel's manager definitely could have had a bit more Christmas cheer, but at least he knows how to run a business.
In general, Gimbel's manager is a little snarky and a perfectionist in terms of work. When telling Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) to cut the ribbons shorter, he didn’t seem interested in hearing her out, and when he saw how festive the store had become, he grew more concerned over his job, thinking a trick was being played on him. The Gimbel's manager definitely could have had a bit more Christmas cheer, but at least he knows how to run a business (apart from not knowing who exactly his employees are, but that's an entirely different issue).
8
Deb
Played by Amy Sedaris
Image via New Line Cinema
Deb (Amy Sedaris) is one of Walter’s secretaries. Sweet by nature, she is more on the jolly side of the Christmas spectrum, welcoming Buddy and treating him kindly. While she tolerates Buddy's insane questions and antics, Deb tends to treat him almost like a child, which makes sense since he almost has the mental capacity of one. Still, not once is she ever rude to him, even when he can be mildly annoying at times.
An underappreciated character, Deb is a real one for helping Buddy during his time of need.
Though the publishing company seems to be doom and gloom, Deb is probably the only ray of light there, providing warm smiles as a secretary trapped in a corporate job that doesn’t encourage festivities or Christmas cheer. Even at the end of the film, she is shown singing along in a jolly manner, despite being stuck at the company on Christmas Eve. An underappreciated character, Deb is a real one for helping Buddy during his time of need.
7
Emily Hobbs
Played by Mary Steenburgen
Image via New Line Cinema
Emily (Mary Steenburgen) is Walter’s wife, and she is the mother of Michael. Though she learns quickly that Buddy is the child of another woman that Walter loved, she is still very welcoming to Buddy and treats him like her own. She accepts him into her home without question, and she even encourages Walter to spend more time with Buddy.
Emily also reminds Walter that while his professional life is important, Christmastime is the time for family.
Emily is a kind woman who, while she does not appear very festive, tolerates and encourages Buddy’s Christmas festivities, even when he prepares (disgusting) meals high in sugar. Emily also reminds Walter that while his professional life is important, Christmastime is the time for family. She even goes as far as to let Walter know that Michael (Daniel Tay) is appreciative of having a brother who cares about him, especially since Walter spends most of his time working.
6
Walter Hobbs
Played by James Caan
Image via New Line Cinema
Walter Hobbs is the paternal father of Buddy the Elf. Having fallen in love with a woman named Susan Welles at a young age, Buddy was given up for adoption due to unforeseen circumstances. Though he has his grievances with Buddy and his festive spirit, he accepts him hesitantly into his family. Initially, Walter doesn't believe that Buddy is his son, but after thorough testing, it's proven that he is, and Walter attempts to find ways to get rid of him.
Most surprising of all, Walter gives in to singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," being the last bit of holiday cheer that helps Santa's sleigh fly into the sky.
Even though Walter is the epitome of anti-Christmas in the sense that he couldn’t care less about the holiday, he makes a complete adjustment as he grows fond of Buddy. He realizes throughout the course of the film that Christmas is a time for family, and instead of stressing over things that matter less, Walter should focus his energy on building relationships with the people he cares for most. Most surprising of all, Walter gives in to singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," being the last bit of holiday cheer that helps Santa's sleigh fly into the sky.
5
Michael Hobbs
Played by Daniel Tay
Image via New Line Cinema
Probably the jolliest of the family— apart from Buddy, of course— Michael is the son of Emily and Walter Hobbs. Due to his shaky relationship with his dad, Michael is a little more on the grumpy side at first, not really eager to see or spend time with Buddy. However, after Buddy saves him during a snowball fight, chasing off a bunch of bullies, Michael realizes that Buddy is not all that bad. The two then spend a lot of time together, decorating the house and putting up a Christmas tree.
Michael is one of the better influences in the film, reminding his dad on Christmas Eve that he is a workaholic who should instead focus on spending time with his family.
It's a sweet thing that after connecting with Buddy, Michael leans more towards festivities, playing a positive role in Buddy’s life as he encourages his brother to pursue his love interest. Michael is one of the better influences in the film, reminding his dad on Christmas Eve that he is a workaholic who should instead focus on spending time with his family. His emotional performance toward the end of the film where he claims that his dad never cares about his family is an emotionally moving one, serving as a reminder that sometimes family is more important than work.
4
Jovie
Played by Zooey Deschanel
Jovie is the staff worker at Gimbel’s who meets Buddy when he is displaced during his adventures. Though a bit on the grumpy and quiet side initially, she warms up very quickly to Buddy’s festive antics and falls for him thanks to his cheery attitude. After their meeting, they have an awkward encounter where Buddy sings along with her as she sings in the shower at their workplace.
Thanks to Buddy's festive self, Jovie grows to be comfortable with herself.
Jovie serves as an inspiration to shy and introverted people everywhere, as she grows from the quiet woman she was to a much more confident one. Thanks to Buddy's festive self, Jovie grows to be comfortable with herself. Her singing is the main reason that Santa's sleigh flies on Christmas spirit on the night of Christmas Eve. Not to mention, her dedication to helping Buddy, even when it felt hopeless, is an inspiring trait.
3
Santa
Played by Edward Asner
Image via New Line Cinema
Almost no one beats Santa (Edward Asner) in terms of Christmas cheer, but even he has his own doubts. One Christmas morning, after delivering presents to the world, he discovered that Buddy had crawled into his bag when he had visited an orphanage, and from then on, he took him in as another one of his elves.
Even with his doubts, Santa's belief in people didn’t diminish.
A kind soul, Santa agrees that Buddy should find his real father out in New York. Both encouraging and helpful, Santa sends Buddy off on his journey. Then, when they meet again in New York in the park, Santa is thrilled to see Buddy. Despite having his doubts about the rest of the world in terms of Christmas faith, Santa relies purely on the hope, love, and Christmas cheer that people everywhere have in order to get his sleigh off the ground after being chased by the Park Rangers. Even with his doubts, Santa's belief in people didn’t diminish.
2
Papa Elf
Played by Bob Newhart
Image via New Line Cinema
Everyone loves Papa Elf (Bob Newhart), the older elf who took in Buddy since he had wanted a child of his own but never had the time to dedicate himself to family. He doted on Buddy, teaching him things that would help him in his life, and he didn’t hesitate to tell Buddy who his real father was when the time came. A real loving father, Papa Elf encourages Buddy to find his dad.
Papa Elf might just be one of the better characters with a great amount of Christmas cheer, despite having minimal screentime.
Papa Elf, being the primary caregiver for Buddy, has proven to be an exceptionally wonderful father figure, helping teach him and raising him without inhibiting Buddy’s emotions or cheer. Papa Elf might just be one of the better characters with a great amount of Christmas cheer, despite having minimal screentime. Even at the end of the film, Papa Elf has proven to be warmly welcoming towards Buddy and his newfound family.
1
Buddy
Played by Will Ferrell
Buddy the Elf is a human-born elf who was orphaned as a newborn. On the night of Christmas Eve, he slipped into Santa’s gift bag and took an adventure all the way back to the North Pole where he was proceeded to be adopted by Papa Elf. Though he stood out quite a bit from his peers and was often made fun of, Buddy never let anything get him down. In fact, Buddy remained cheery, despite the problems that came his way. It was only after learning he was not a real elf that he began to freak out.
One of the best and most festive characters, Buddy the Elf is a Christmas icon like no other.
After facing plenty of challenges in his adult years, Buddy learned the truth behind his birth and decided that it was time to find his biological father, who had found himself on the naughty list. As a result, Buddy is determined to find his father and spread Christmas cheer, even to those who don’t want it. One of the best and most festive characters, Buddy the Elf is a Christmas icon like no other.
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via New Line Cinema
English (US) ·