Binging Christmas movies is a timeless activity for many families and individuals that celebrate Christmas. Snuggling up under comfortable blankets with candy and snacks to enjoy while watching can put anyone into the Holiday spirit. One movie that sticks out as the best Christmas movie to watch is “Elf” during the comfy, cozy, holiday season. 

The movie “Elf” was released on November 15, 2003. Recently, “Elf” celebrated its twentieth anniversary, by having theaters playing the movie “Elf” for a whole day. Since its release, it has become a classic Christmas staple in holiday movie watching. 

The movie stars William Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, James Caan as Walter, and Zooey Deschanel as Jovie.

The movie is centered around Buddy the Elf’s journey to finding his birth family and love, while keeping the Christmas spirit high. In order to accomplish that he leaves the North Pole, where he has grown up, to go to New York.

Buddy was raised by elves in the North Pole, even though he is a human. When Buddy travels to New York he is amazed by the things that as a society we pass over everyday. The film does an excellent job at making him seem clueless and like Buddy has never been to the “real world” before. They do this by putting him into many situations and firsts, and making him curious and clueless.

The role of Buddy is played well by Ferrell because he is able to bring the character to life. He provides comedy in the movie, and without it it would be a lesser movie. His interactions with his new-found family and those around him are always hilarious.

Throughout the movie, Buddy is determined to bring Christmas spirit to those surrounding him. He does this in many ways, but most importantly by teaching them the meaning of Christmas. 

The movie truly takes form as a Christmas movie when Santa Claus needs help. Santa is in New York where Buddy is located on Christmas Eve. The “Clausometer” runs low due to there being no Christmas spirit and the engine fell off. The only person that can help Santa and save Christmas is Buddy. 

While Buddy is helping Santa, those that he has influenced within his time in New York work to spread the Christmas cheer. These people have been positively influenced by Buddy and are excited for Christmas because of him. By teaching Jovie how to spread Christmas cheer, she also helps save Christmas. 

In the end Buddy saves Christmas with the help of those around him. Buddy goes back to the North Pole, but comes back for his love interest and birth family. 

While this ending and plot is very predictable, it is commercial and comforting to anyone. “Elf” is a great movie to snuggle up to and enjoy a timeless Christmas movie.