Few Christmas movies have enjoyed the instant high level of success Elf saw upon release. It’s impressive how many people still make the 2003 Christmas comedy, featuring Will Ferrell in one of his most beloved performances, a staple of their holiday watchlist. If you’re looking for where to stream Elf for the 2022 holiday season, you’re going to have several options to choose from.
Where Can I Watch Elf With a Subscription?
HBO Max is your best bet for streaming Elf with a subscription. The streaming service has a deep catalog of holiday favorites, including Arthur Christmas, The Polar Express, and A Christmas Story. Offering Elf is just one more reason to keep HBO Max in mind for some of your favorite Christmas movies.
While HBO Max does not currently offer a free trial, they do offer a limited range of free movies and shows to check out. If you don’t mind paying a few dollars, you can get a month of the service, with plans starting at $9.99, watch Elf, and then cancel.
Where Can I Buy or Rent Elf to Stream?
You don’t need an HBO Max subscription if you really want to see Elf. You have a number of options that will let you either rent the film from Iron Man director Jon Favreau, or purchase to watch as much as you like. Rental prices start as low as $2.99, while buying the movie can cost as little as $7.99:
- iTunes
- Google Play
- Prime Video
- Microsoft
- Apple TV
Bear in mind that prices will vary per platform.
Is Elf Free to Watch Online?
You can find tons of free Christmas movies to watch online. Elf just isn’t one of them. You might be lucky if you’re hoping to catch it for free on broadcast TV though. AMC has several airings scheduled this month.
Why Elf is a Favorite Christmas Movie
The immediate popularity of Elf was easy to understand. The film featured Will Ferrell at the beginning of his run as an impressive comedy leading man. As Buddy in Elf, Ferrell plays a human being raised as a cheerful, hyperactive elf at the North Pole, where Santa (Ed Asner) and his fellow elves (including Bob Newhart as Buddy’s adoptive father) live and work.
Buddy eventually leaves the North Pole for New York City with hopes of finding his biological father (James Caan). It’s a likable premise with an equally charming cast, including Zooey Deschanel as a retail worker who falls in love with Buddy. Elf is more than just a series of gags and fish-out-of-water situations. It finds genuine sweetness in Buddy’s bizarre behavior, which manages to win most people over. Elf has a heart, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
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