Elf
(2003, Rated PG, Family and kids, Starring James Caan, Will Ferrell, Mary Steenburgen)Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 33% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 33% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
Have you seen it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
a good movie
a good movie with some vilonce but lots of scenes that will make you lol.
Lives in TennesseeI rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
this was a very genuine
and funny movie with a lot of heart and Will Ferrel is just downright hilarious; this movie gives him a lot of oppurtunities to do such!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
LOVE IT!!!
I love this movie. It's so cute and funny. WARNING: it might make kids not believe in Santa. It's about an elf trying to find his dad in NYC. It has a great cast and is super funny!
- I rate this title off for age 8 and give it
Not for adopted children
There are so many good movies out there, why watch this one? Not only is it dumb and mind-numbing, but as an adoptive parent, it made me cringe. Elf, the main character, crawls into Santa's bag one Christmas night and ends up being 'adopted' by Santa. References to 'real' parents and other language that portrays a negative -- and silly -- view of adoption.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Not good for adoptive families
Very funny movie in many ways, and very enjoyable BUT a big warning to adoptive families: Buddy the elf goes off to NY to find his "real" dad, that being his biological father rather than the father who adopted him and raised him and is indeed his REAL father. Very problematic message for adoptive families or families with less traditional structures, who raise their children to understand that family is about love and who takes care of you, not biology. As much as I love this movie, it will be off limits to my son until he's much much older and more confident and comfortable with our adoptive family status.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Hilarious Movie, But Talk To You Kids First!!
This is a laugh-out-loud movie! But, I would talk to your kids first if they are under the age of 7, since they have Buddy eating gum off the street, they have some bad language, and there are some mentions of Santa not being real. But this movie is great for older viewers!!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
I second the "not for toddlers"
I'd also heard this was suitable for toddlers, so my husband and I screened it. We're glad we checked first! It is a cute movie, but there is a lot there that our 3-year-old daughter could find disturbing, including trees catching on fire, multiple physical fights, and a lot of yelling/anger for confusing reasons. I'd say it is best for the 6-12 year old range with some parental explanations.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
i laughed
this is a FUNNY!!!!!MOVIE we this movie at home. ITS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
"Some people think the parents do it ..." (!!)
Liked this movie, overall. But as a parent of children who still have a strong belief in S.C., I was disappointed with the discussion of there not being a Santa Claus and the subsequent line "some people say that the parents do it..." (!) This was not something I wanted my young children to hear, as I'm sure the thought had not yet occurred to them! Was disappointed that the movie might plant my child's first seed of doubt about the existence of the "big red guy"!
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
Elf not for toddlers
We mistakenly took our 4 year old to Elf. She wanted to leave after 30 minutes. While Will Ferrell's character is sincere, it was hard to explain to her why "Santa" was trying to beat up "Elf", as in the department store scene. Elf pulls Santa's beard off, and then Santa picks up a bat and tries to take Elf's head off with it. We feel mostly responsible, as it does have a PG rating, and mistakenly took the advice of a relative who felt it was fine for toddlers. Side marketing note: I noticed Cadillac's brochure on James Caan's desk.
My "adult" review of the film for adults is that the North Pole scenes are great, the movie lacks a real compelling plot, and Mr. Ferrell is so good, the screenwriters get lazy, as opposed to Pixar - who labor over the story.
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Hilarious, just some naughty stuff.
*Sigh* such a good movie. There is one naughty part. Buddy decorates the store until after dark, working hard into the night, when he hears someone singing a christmas carol. He ends up in the womens locker room, sitting between the sinks. The girl co-worker he likes is naked in the shower, singing to herself ( nothing is shown, just shoulders), until buddy starts singing along. She peeks her head out of the shower and sees him sitting there, innocently. She yells at him to get out of the locker room and not to look at her. He claps his hands over his eyes and hightails it for the door, smashing into everything in his way.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
BEST MOVIE EVER
Elf is my favorite movie ever! You'll LOVE it!!!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Best movie ever. You'kll crack up
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
best christmas movie ever made!!!!!!
this is my family's favorite christmas movie. we bought it and watch it at least twice each christmas. it never gets old and its such an enjoyable movie!
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
some ify content parents coutioned
includes drinking, peril And one very vilont seen were a man attacks the elf and a lot of harsh words and yelling acure. Not appropreat for younger children. And brief sexual content. And the only bad word they use is the h word.
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
You Will Watch It Again and Again!
This is the funniest movei that I have ever seen, Will Ferrel does such a great job. All of my friends and family members love it. The best part is this movie never gets old, you can watch it again, and again and still be able to laugh at it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
You have to see this movie!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a great movie that we always watch in school around the holidays, i even have a friend who is obsessed. This is a great holiday or snow dya comedy that the whole family will enjoy.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
Extremely Enjoyable Movie
I think that you may have to wait a little while for younger children to understand the jokes to their best but i loved this movie! this movie can make me laugh even in the toughest of times! The characters are enjoyable and very loveable. It shows a story of how you can still be loved even if you don't truly fit in. It shows that being yourself is never bad, and that you should always do what makes you happy. Some of these things in the movie should not be attempted like..jumping on beds at sears or jumping up and down in an elevator..but it's all in movie humor. This is a very enjoyable and well made movie! 5 stars! Go see it!
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
This was a funny movie, one of the best from Will.
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
To everyone
It shouldn't be a problem to anyone because you don't take movies literally! I mean, come on, it's a movie!
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
a great, very funny holiday film!
you will laugh and laugh and laugh! this is a super fun, funny movie for the holiday season! there is nothing inappropriate, the whole family will enjoy!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
It is so funny!!!!
This movie shows about a human living like an elf, trying to find and get to know his dad, and save Christmas spirit. There is some love but I wouldn't call it sexual contact. It is great for 6+ and is hilariously funny. I strongly reccomend this movie.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Awesome
Great movie for the whole family
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I laughed!
Wonderful film!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
i laughed~
i love it!!!!!! :)
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Cute
Good Christmas movie for younger kids. Teens will get bored
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Silly
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great Family Movie!
Elf was a good family movie although it gets pretty boring at some parts in the movie but the parts that were good are really good.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Elf is the best family Christmas movie out there!!!
I personally love the movie ELF!!!!!! It is a great family show. Everyone in my family loves this movie. It's funny, and well just funny!! Will Ferrel does a great job of playing the part of an innocent type of adult who doesn't really know how to live in the city. Ya, this movie does have a little bit of swearing sometimes but not too often. If you haven'tt seen ELF yet, I suggest you go rent or buy it right now before it sells out! Yep, it's that good!
