Why Elf Might Not Be The Best Christmas Movie To Watch With Little Kids

There’s no way around it, families love the colorful live-action Christmas movie Elf. The 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell as the ever-joyous Buddy the Elf seems like a movie tailor-made to watch with the kids. And to an extent, it is exactly that. A silly, funny, kind movie that families return to year after year. But as happens with all things, there appears to be a limit to Elf’s charm with kids. Take the attention span of a 5-year-old, for instance. This age group might not be the target market for Buddy’s travels from the North Pole, through the sea of Swirly Twirly gum drops, or even as he passes through the Lincoln Tunnel. So is Elf appropriate for young kids to watch? Here’s everything you need to know.

Will kids younger than 5 enjoy watching Elf? Yes and no.

As a human raised by elves in the North Pole, Buddy’s sense of humor is mostly pretty innocent and tame, all things considered. But his story as a young baby who climbed into Santa’s (Ed Asner) bag and went to the North Pole, where he was adopted by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) and raised as an elf does lend itself to some tongue-in-cheek humor. Especially once he arrives in New York City to meet the father he’s never met (James Caan) and falls in love with Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). The humor is very Will Ferrell-esque, which might mean that it will go completely over the heads of 5-year-old kids who are not known for their nuanced humor. There is a burp or two in the movie they should enjoy, however.

In Elf, the Santa is a little too cranky for little ones who still believe.

At the age of 5, it is not uncommon for kids to still believe in Santa Claus. And watching this frustrated, curmudgeonly version of Santa Claus grumble about Christmas spirit and talk about Joe’s Pizza in New York could very well wreck the magic for kids that age. Especially when they see someone dress as Santa Claus when Buddy is working at Gimbles Department Store and the two get into a huge fight. And let’s not forget, Santa is on the run from the Rangers in Central Park because they don’t like him. All rather dark stuff for that impressionable age group.

What is Elf rated?

Elf is rated PG for some mild rude humor and language. Common Sense Media notes that the movie is “family friendly at its core” but recommends Elf is appropriate for kids 8 and up due to potty language and mild cursing like “pissed,” “hell,” and “damn.” Younger kids might find it a bit upsetting that, while Santa Claus is certainly real in the movie, he’s also pretty grumpy and plagued by a world full of non-believers, which might make them question the magic of Christmas, something that might give parents pause.

Still, the theme of being true to oneself, holding on to the joy of silliness, and the all-around good feeling make Elf a rewatch every year for kids over the age of 8 and basically all adults everywhere.

Where can you watch Elf?

You can stream Elf on Max or Hulu. You can also rent Elf for $3.99 via Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies, Apple TV+, Google Play, and Vudu, or find it airing on TV multiple times throughout the month of December.

Just maybe hold off a few years if you are planning on watching with your 5-year-old. Especially if you’re hoping it will become a beloved classic for them when they’re a bit older.