How to watch Elf this Christmas: where the Will Ferrell comedy is available to stream and buy in the UK

Elf is routinely chosen as many people’s favourite Christmas film - this is how you can watch the festive classic this year
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You can’t talk about Christmas films without mentioning the comedy Elf, and with good reason. Following its release in 2003, it became a smash hit, garnering critical and commercial acclaim.

In the years since its release, Elf has quickly established itself as a Christmas classic, alongside the likes of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life and more.

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With the festive season officially upon us, this is how you can watch Elf this Christmas.

How can I watch Elf this Christmas?

There are a couple of different ways you can watch Elf this Christmas.

The festive movie will be shown on TV this year exclusively on Sky Cinema - you can catch it next at 8pm on Saturday 11 December, but it will be getting aired throughout the month.

Alternatively you can rent it from the Sky Store for £3.49, or you can buy it for £5.99.

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If you don’t have Sky, you can also stream Elf on demand on NowTV with a Cinema Pass. You can enjoy a seven day free trial of the Cinema Pass on NowTV, with the pass itself available for 40% off.

Usually the Cinema Pass costs £9.99 per month, but as part of NowTV’s Christmas offer, it is currently available for £5.99 per month, for three months. The Cinema Pass allows you to view award winning films, Sky Originals and timeless classics.

Elf is also available to buy (£5.99) or rent (£3.49) from Amazon or to buy (£6.99) or rent (£3.49) from Google Play.

What’s Elf about?

Elf is a classic Christmas film from 2003, following the story of Buddy, a human who accidentally ended up at Santa’s workshop after crawling into his bag on Christmas as a baby.

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While Buddy is accepted by the elves as one of their own, he quickly realises that he’s different from the other elves. After discovering the truth about himself, Buddy decides to go on a journey to New York City to find his biological father and family.

Unfortunately for Buddy, it turns out that his father, Walter Hobbs, is a cynical businessman who is a permanent resident on Santa’s naughty list.

Buddy takes it upon himself to bring Christmas cheer back into his family’s life as he learns to navigate the real world away from Santa’s workshop.

Who is in the cast?

Will Ferrell leads the cast as Buddy the Elf. You’ll likely recognise Ferrell from his extensive career in film and television, including roles in projects like The Shrink Next Door, Anchorman, Blades of Glory, Step Brothers, Daddy’s Home, The Other Guys and much more.

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Starring alongside Ferrell is Bob Newhart (ER, The Big Bang Theory) as Papa Elf, James Caan (The Godfather, Misery) as Walter,  Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer, New Girl) as Jovie, and Mary Steenburgen (Orange is the New Black, Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Emily.

Will Ferrell on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2003 (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Will Ferrell on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2003 (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Will Ferrell on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2003 (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

In October, Ferrell said that he had turned down the opportunity for an Elf sequel, despite an offer of $29 million.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Ferrell said he couldn’t accept the offer due to the fact the film was “not good”.

He said: “I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would’ve been like, “Oh no, it’s not good. I just couldn’t turn down that money” and I thought, “Can I actually say those words? I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie”.”

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