The Complete Fan Guide to Elf + The Best Holiday Movies

We’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Elf with a look back at the beloved Christmas film and other holiday classics. Becoming a classic Christmas movie that families watch year after year is a difficult feat, but Elf has remained a holiday mainstay in the 20 years since its release. The Will Ferrell-led film is frequently featured on lists of the best Christmas films of all time with Entertainment Weekly hailing Elf as “the best Christmas flick of the century,” and The A.V. Club raving that “Christmas movies don’t get much better (or funnier) than Elf,” and calling it an “endlessly rewatchable holiday comedy” that is “truly hilarious and heartfelt. Ahead of its 20th anniversary, Ferrell speculated about the reason behind the film’s staying power. “I think [it’s] because it’s beautifully uncynical. It’s a character who’s excited by everything that’s kind of mundane to us in our normal life. It’s a fish-out-of-water story. It’s just very sweet and hopeful, and turns out it was funny,” the actor said during a 2022 appearance on the BBC’s The One Show. “Little did we know we were making a movie that would stand the test of time. If Christmas movies are one of your favorite things about the holidays, dive into this festive 100-page special issue for cast and crew members’ memories of the making of Elf, as well as behind-the-scenes photos from the set of the movie. We also look back at 100 other beloved holiday films and TV specials, including It’s a231013 Wonderful Life, Love Actually, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Home Alone, White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie!). Whether you’re into family fun, animated classics, action flicks or even holiday horror movies, you’ll find your all favorites here.