Growing up, Elf was my favorite movie. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t still to this day. I loved it so much that I was given two copies for Christmas one year: a full-screen DVD version and a widescreen DVD version, just so I had options! As I have grown up and realized it is such a beloved holiday movie all around, I began to think about the details that make it so good. After a thorough investigation with me, the couch and one of my two personal copies of Elf, here are the reasons why this movie is #1:
1. That one raccoon scene, you know which one I’m talking about.
This scene is iconic for many reasons and never fails to make me laugh until I cry.
The way Buddy first approaches the raccoon asking it for its name is hysterical and bizarre all at once. Clearly, he doesn’t know what he is getting himself into by leaving the North Pole and it is oh so evident in this very scene.
The reaction the raccoon has when Buddy goes in for one of his famous hugs is expected, realistic and leaves a lasting impression on the audience. This isn’t something you’d see in any other Christmas movie.
2. The incredibly famous narwhal quote
This movie in general is extremely quotable. I can’t sit through the entire movie without saying at least one of the lines I have memorized after all these years.
However, easily the best line of the movie and the most quotable one of them all comes right after that adorable narwhal comes up out of the water to say goodbye to Buddy. Oh yeah, you know what line I’m talking about…
“Bye, Buddy! Hope you find your dad!”
If you didn’t read this in your head the way the narwhal says it, you’re doing it wrong. I am convinced you can go anywhere at any time of the year and say this and everyone around you will know what you’re referencing.
3. “Cotton-Headed Ninny Muggin”
You’re lying if you say you never used this as a new and improved way of referring to someone as dumb.
Although it was kind of sad when Buddy called himself this because he wasn’t meeting quota, it’s only because he wasn’t a real toy-making elf like the rest of them. Because of Elf, we have all been able to expand our vocabulary!
Name another Christmas movie that’s done that for you … I’ll wait.
4. The ridiculously long burp at the dinner table
Ok, first of all, is that humanly possible? I have been dying to know since the first time I watched Elf. So, if you’re a doctor reading this or someone that just knows a lot about burps, please get back to me on this one.
Second of all, this is easily one of the funniest scenes and so unexpected. I mean, it was already so odd that he chugged the entire bottle of soda in front of, essentially, strangers at the dinner table and then he went ahead and let that bad boy out. I truly was shocked and left ROFLMAO (:P), as most of us were.
6. All the new spaghetti recipes— yum!
You simply cannot tell me that spaghetti with maple syrup doesn’t kind of sound fire. I’m totally kidding … sort of.
Buddy is constantly throwing us for a loop throughout the film, but really does it again when he asks for someone to pass the maple syrup at the dinner table on spaghetti and meatball night. When no one does so, he realizes he has his own maple syrup right up his sleeve— absolutely incredible.
Taking it to the next level the next morning, he includes pop tarts, hard candy, marshmallows, chocolate syrup AND maple syrup in his morning spaghetti breakfast. Gordon Ramsey is quaking!
6. The soundtrack is *chefs kiss*
To this day, I simply cannot hear “Pennies from Heaven” covered by Louis Prima without thinking of Elf.
If you don’t know what song I’m talking about, but you’ve seen the movie, stop what you are doing right now and look it up on YouTube. It will take you half a second of listening before you know exactly what I’m talking about and your brain is instantly flooded with clips of Buddy running down the busy streets of NYC.
The whole soundtrack is just filled with absolute bangers. You can’t forget about the classics either! There is “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”, and of course, although not a Christmas classic, you can’t forget about “Whoop, There It Is!”, performed in the mailroom of the publishing company with all of Buddy’s new work friends.
7. Zooey Deschanel’s singing voice, period.
Before this movie, I had no idea this New Girl star could sing—AND SHE IS AMAZING?! Nothing is more awkward than that first scene in the work showers where she really puts her voice on display unknowingly for Buddy to hear, but nevertheless, I was left in awe like Buddy. Her singing voice takes this movie to a whole other level. She truly blesses our ears!
8. The love story isn’t too sappy like the ones in Hallmark Christmas movies.
Unlike some of the Hallmark Christmas specials and even some of the Netflix original Christmas movies, the love story between Buddy and Jody in Elf is wholesome and realistic.
They meet each other at work, which is a very normal way to meet someone, as opposed to being on vacation for a quick weekend to get away from your toxic fiancé, or better yet, winning some log cabin in a small town and falling in love with the electrician who comes to fix the power when the power goes out during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. If you are reading this and this is how you met your partner, sincere apologies and I am only a LITTLE jealous that your love life is like a Hallmark Christmas movie.
But for the rest of us, Jody and Buddy provide a realistic example of what it could be like to meet someone you are interested in and even show the awkwardness of what dating a new person can be like.
9. Buddy’s positivity & Christmas spirit is unmatched.
Christmas time isn’t always the happiest time of the year for everyone like it might seem. For some people, like Walter Hobbs and Jody, work gets 10x busier during the holidays as children’s books need to be published and shopping mall stores need to be decorated.
It’s hard to get caught up in and weighed down by that busy work mindset in general, but especially during the holidays. Buddy brings new light into these people’s lives as he never has a bad day despite what gets thrown in his direction and focuses on brighter things, like the Christmas spirit— generosity, kindness, and charity. His positivity and Christmas spirit are so contagious and truly unmatched.
I can’t help but finish Elf with a smile on my face and, all of a sudden, the urge to make gingerbread houses with my loved ones.
10. The lessons Buddy teaches his family are wholesome and relevant.
Before Buddy came into Walter’s life, Walter was a scrooge who seemed to be continuously distancing himself from his family as he got more and more invested in his work. His work started taking over his life to the point where he was about to spend all night Christmas Eve at the office.
If it wasn’t for Buddy showing unconditional love like he does, Walter probably would have never adjusted his values and continued to prioritize work over family. On top of that, he consistently shows forgiveness throughout the film towards Walter and his brother Michael when they repeatedly rejected him.
Buddy really teaches us the importance of family, whatever that might look like, forgiveness and unconditional love, especially during the holidays.
If this list of 10 reasons doesn’t convince you that Elf is the best Christmas movie of all time, then I don’t know what will, but do yourself a favor and watch it at least once this holiday season. You won’t regret it!
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