Elf is a 2003 American Christmas fantasy comedy film directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. It was released in the United States on November 7, 2003 by New Line Cinema, and stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Daniel Tay, Edward Asner, and Bob Newhart. The film earned $220.4 million worldwide on a $33 million budget.

On Christmas Eve in 1973, a baby boy stows away in Santa Claus’s sack. When discovered back at the North Pole, he is adopted by Papa Elf they name him Buddy. Buddy grows up at the North Pole believing he is an elf, but due to his human size he is unable to perform elf tasks despite being accepted and supported by the other elves. While doing his demeaning job of toy testing, Buddy accidentally learns that he is human. Buddy ultimately heads to his birthplace of New York City to seek out his birth family.  He comes to find out that his family consists of a “Scrooge”-like father and a ten-year-old stepbrother who doesn’t believe in Santa. Worst of all, everyone seems to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. But using his simple elf ways, Buddy sets out to single-handedly win over his family and save Christmas in New York, hoping to at last find his true place in the world.