Will Ferrell Reflects On ‘Elf’ Legacy: “I’m So Lucky To Have A Movie Like That In My Catalog”

Will Ferrell is a happy elf.

The Elf star recently reflected on the enduring legacy of his holiday classic more than 20 years after its release in November 2003, saying he felt grateful that the Jon Favreau-directed comedy has cemented itself as a bonafide Christmas rewatch staple.

“It’s really quite special,” the Will & Harper star and producer told People in a new interview. “I mean, it continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and it continues to kind of entrench itself as kind of a holiday classic for people. I’m so lucky to have a movie like that in my catalog.”

The comedian noted that the film “really means so much to so many people,” adding that he’s been approached by fans who tell him that they rewatch the movie even in the off-season, like July 4.

“So that’s what’s so great about what I get to do,” he continued. “You never really have an idea of what’s going to land with people, and I love the fact that this movie continues to resonate in a way that’s pretty incredible.” (To borrow a line from Elf, it’s about believing not seeing!)

Elf follows the titular Buddy the Elf (Ferrell) as he journeys to New York City in search of his biological father (played by the late James Caan) after finally being let in on the not-so-secret truth that he’s the sole human at Santa’s elf-powered workshop in the North Pole. The lighthearted and ever-quotable film also stars Zooey Deschanel as Elf’s love interest, along with Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen and Bob Newhart, featuring a cameo by Favreau.

The spirited movie was a box office success upon its premiere, coming up against The Matrix Revolutions in theaters, making upward of $220 million against a $33 million budget.