Will Ferrell’s Elf Suddenly Becomes an HBO Max Holiday Hit

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As the popular song says, singing loudly is the best way to spread Christmas joy. But if you’re not feeling musical, a cozy re-watch of

The holiday favorite Elf is back in the spotlight! Over two decades after it first hit theaters, the movie is currently a hit on HBO Max in the United States. As of December 9th, data from Flixpatrol shows it’s also among the top 10 most-watched films on Apple TV+, Amazon, and Vudu in the US. Its popularity extends beyond the US, too – Elf is the #1 movie on Amazon Prime in Canada and ranks eighth on Netflix in Australia.

Will Ferrell Recognizes How ‘Lucky’ He Is To Have Had A Hand In The Holiday Classic

It’s not just viewers who still love the movie, even over twenty years after it first came out. Last December, Will Ferrell himself talked about how much of a tradition it’s become, saying it’s “really quite special” that his film is now a Christmas classic.

You know, it’s amazing to see how much this movie continues to resonate with people year after year. After 21 years, it’s really become a holiday tradition for so many, and honestly, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of something that brings so much joy. It’s a real highlight of my career.

Will Ferrell knows how much the movie Elf means to people, not just during the holidays, but all year long. He’s had fans tell him they watch it even on the Fourth of July! Ferrell says these kinds of interactions are a wonderful part of his job. You never know which movies will really connect with audiences, and he’s thrilled that Elf continues to be so popular and beloved.

Will Ferrell, known from his time on Saturday Night Live, wasn’t sure Elf would be a hit. He later shared that he was actually worried the movie could ruin his career. Even after test screenings showed positive audience reactions and his manager reassured him, he remained anxious throughout the editing process.

He remembered telling someone, ‘The first screening with family went really well, but the next one could be a disaster. I’m seeing a group that looks like USC fraternity students about to walk in,’ during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Luckily, those viewers actually enjoyed the film too.

Those passionate fans likely wouldn’t have been thrilled with a sequel to Elf. Will Ferrell later revealed he rejected a $29 million offer to star in a follow-up movie, explaining that he didn’t think the script was good enough.

Ferrell said he couldn’t honestly promote the film. He imagined telling people, ‘It’s not good, but I couldn’t refuse the payment,’ and realized he wasn’t comfortable saying that, so he decided to pass on the project.

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2025-12-09 23:38