Overview
When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorJon Favreau
WriterDavid Berenbaum, Jon Favreau
Cast
Will Ferrell
Buddy
James Caan
Walter
Bob Newhart
Papa Elf
Ed Asner
Santa
Mary Steenburgen
Emily
Zooey Deschanel
Jovie
Daniel Tay
Michael
Faizon Love
Gimbels Manager
Peter Dinklage
Miles Finch
Amy Sedaris
Deb
Michael Lerner
Fulton
Andy Richter
Morris
Kyle Gass
Eugene
Artie Lange
Gimbels Santa
Leon Redbone
Leon the Snowman (voice)
Ray Harryhausen
Polar Bear Cub (voice)
Claire Lautier
NY 1 Reporter
Ted Friend
NY 1 Anchor
Patrick Ferrell
Security Guard
Patrick McCartney
Security Guard
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Keywords
elvesdwarfholidayadoptionsanta claussarcasmlooking for birth parentsromancefish out of waterorphannorth polechristmas spiritchristmasworkshopfather son relationshiphilariouswhimsicalcheerful
Details
Budget
$32M
Revenue
$229M
TMDb Votes
4,529
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026