Will Ferrell Reflects on Elf's Lasting Impact 20 Years Later

Will Ferrell reflects on the enduring charm of Elf two decades after its release. Speaking with PEOPLE, the 57-year-old actor shared his thoughts on how the 2003 holiday classic continues to connect with audiences worldwide.

"It's really quite special," Ferrell said. "It keeps growing and has become a holiday staple for so many people. I'm so lucky to have a movie like that in my catalog."

Ferrell noted that Elf’s impact extends beyond the festive season. "I’ve had people tell me they watch it on July 4th. It’s amazing how much it means to people year-round," he added.

The film, directed by Jon Favreau, follows Buddy the Elf, a human raised in the North Pole, as he ventures to New York City to find his biological father. Alongside Ferrell, the cast included Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Dinklage, and the late James Caan, among others.

Elf was a box-office triumph, earning over $220 million globally on a $33 million budget. However, despite its success, Ferrell famously declined a $29 million offer to star in a sequel, citing concerns about the premise feeling too similar to the original. "I couldn't promote it honestly if I didn’t believe in it," he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021.

For Ferrell, the joy lies in seeing how deeply Elf resonates with fans. "You never know what’s going to connect with people, and it’s incredible that this movie still does."