How to watch 'Elf' online

Will Ferrell as Buffy the elf in Elf
(Image credit: New Line Cinema)

The best way to spread Christmas cheer? Stream "Elf" online! This heartwarming comedy has cemented itself as one of the most beloved holiday classics since its debut in 2003. 

You've probably already experienced it as part of your own holiday traditions. But if not, it’s a movie that’s as much a part of the season as Christmas lights and hot cocoa. 

Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised in the North Pole who believes he’s an elf, "Elf" is all about spreading a little bit of Christmas magic. 

Elf details

Year: 2003
Cast: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Dinklage, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner
Director: Jon Favreau
Run time: 97 min
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%

As a toddler, Buddy was accidentally taken to the North Pole, and then raised by the elves. Possibly due to his size, he never truly fit in (oh, and he's terribly at making toys), so he goes to New York City to find his real father. Unfortunately, his father is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a mean, cynical businessman who spurns Buddy at first.

In the big city, Buddy also doesn't quite fit in. He ends up getting a job at a local department store, where he falls for his indifferent co-worker Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) but also causes havoc when he accuses a faux Santa Claus of sitting on "a throne of lies." His words, not ours.

Eventually, his childlike wonder and cheerful disposition begin to thaw Walter's coldness and Jovie's lackluster attitude. As Buddy says, there's room for everybody on the Nice List!

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Elf online in 2024. 

How to watch 'Elf' in the US

This holiday season, American viewers can watch Elf streaming on Max or Hulu right now. HBOMax is our No. 1 choice among the best streaming services, thanks to its excellent, high-quality library. You can access dozens of new 2024 movies and watch prestige dramas from HBO there as well as a host of other TV shows and original content. 

Max

Our favorite streaming service at the moment, Max is available in three tiers: the $21 per month ultimate ad-free tier, the $17 ad-free tier, and the $10 ad-supported tier. All three give you access to acclaimed Max shows, a big selection of classic movies and recent hits, as well as Max originals.

"Elf" is also available to rent or buy at digital stores, generally around $3.99 for rental and $9.99 for purchase.

Is 'Elf' on Netflix?

No, "Elf" is not on Netflix. But the streaming service is always adding new titles to its huge library, so we'll add it to our letter to Santa for next year.

How to watch 'Elf' in the UK

Brits, sing loud for all to hear because you can watch Elf on Sky Cinema, which you can get with a Sky TV package (starting at just £25 per month). Or you can get a Now TV Cinema pass to stream the movie online. The pass comes with a free seven-day trial and then costs £11.99 per month.

How to watch 'Elf' in Canada

In the Great White North, which as close to Santa as you can get, "Elf" is streaming on Crave

You can check out Crave with a 7-day FREE trial. After that, you can get either the Crave Mobile plan for $9.99 per month or the more robust Crave Total plan for $19.99.

How to watch 'Elf' in Australia

Aussies will smile because "Elf" is streaming on Binge, which comes with a 10-day free trial for new subscribers.

After that, the streaming service costs $10 per month.

Kelly Woo
Streaming Editor

Kelly is the managing editor of streaming for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.

Read more
Wicked; Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet; Mayfair Witches
10 top new movies and shows to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video and more (Jan. 3-5)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie in The Night Before
7 best Hanukkah movies, ranked
Dominic Sessa and Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers
'The Holdovers' just replaced 'It's a Wonderful Life' as my favorite Christmas movie — and you can stream it on Prime Video now
Drama during the "All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special" as Siegfried Farnon (played by Samuel West) reacts to Mrs Hall's desperate news
How to watch 'All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special' online from anywhere now
Isabela Merced and Shameik Moore in "Let It Snow" on Netflix
One of the most underrated romantic comedies on Netflix is the Christmas movie I watch every year
Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), Rani (Kerena Jagpal), Ben (Daniel Roche) and Karen (Ramona Marquez) sitting together in the Outnumbered 2024 Christmas Special
How to watch 'Outnumbered 2024 Christmas Special' online from anywhere
Latest in Streaming
Poster for The Sex Lives of College Girls
'The Sex Lives of College Girls' canceled by Max after 3 seasons
Park Hae-soo as Kim Beom-jun in "Karma" on Netflix
Netflix’s latest crime thriller show just got a new trailer — and I can’t wait to see this ‘Squid Game’ star back in action
Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore) petting a bird in a promotional still from Netflix's "Sirens"
Netflix just teased a new dark comedy series with Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Meghann Fahy — here's your first look
Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller in "Adolescence"
Netflix top 10 shows — here's the 3 worth watching right now
Split image of Keegan and the aftermath of the Joplin tornado in "The Twister: Caught in the Storm"
Netflix just got one of the most gripping disaster documentaries I’ve ever seen — and you need to watch it now
Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us
Pedro Pascal's favorite cut scene from 'The Last of Us' is finally making its way into season 2
Latest in News
back of Iris Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders delayed due to 'component quality issue' — here's when you can get one
An open lock depicting a data breach
Half a million teachers hit in major data breach with SSNs, financial data and more exposed — what to do now
Sony A95K QD-OLED TV in front of windows in a living room
This new TV breakthrough looks like a game-changer for OLED TVs
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 features on outer cover display
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE may arrive 'months' after the Z Flip 7 — here's why
ExpressVPN logo above mobile devices
ExpressVPN lays off undisclosed number of employees