Wondering if Elf starring Will Ferrell is ok for kids? Elf is a very funny and heartwarming movie, but it may ruin the idea of Santa Claus for some children. Here’s what parents need to know in this Elf Parents Guide.
Elf Parents Guide
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, to find his real father, who turns out be a jerk at first. Buddy, with his eternal optimism, helps to change the cynicism around him.
Age Rating: Why is Elf rated PG?
Elf is rated PG for mild rude humor and language which means some content may not be suitable for all kids.
Language in Elf
There is minimal language in Elf including damn, hell, pissed, and “up yours.”
Mature Content: Is Elf Ok For Kids?
There is a budding romance between two characters and flirtation amongst characters.
Buddy and another other mailroom worker put alcohol in coffee.
There’s a fight between Buddy and a fake Santa.
Buddy’s father can be rude and mean to him.
Dark, ominous park rangers chase Santa Claus.
There are a coupe of fighting scenes where nobody gets seriously injured.
Is Elf Appropriate for Kids Under 8?
Parents need to know that Elf is kid friendly with a few exceptions including changing the traditional Santa Claus story and the discussion that Santa is really parents giving gifts. Elf is a tough one to gauge the age recommendation, because at its core, it’s a sweet, funny, silly movie about the spirit of Christmas.
These Elf movie quotes show you just how positive he can be. Elf is one of my favorite Christmas films, and is a delightful holiday classic. Will Ferrell is just so over-the-top and ridiculous, I can’t help but laugh.
However, when watching with little ones, you never know what age kids will “stop believing.” And sometimes these Christmas movies influence that. Also, the fact that Buddy doesn’t know who his father is may be upsetting for some kids.
Overall, Elf is more kid friendly than How the Grinch Stole Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Home Alone for your holiday movie choices.
Elf is silly, fun, and is about a grown adult acting like a child. Perhaps that’s why I like it so much, because sometimes we just have to laugh and not take life too seriously. I’d definitely recommend Elf for family holiday movie lists.
Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Kid Friendly? Parents Guide
Monday 15th of November 2021
[…] For those with a 14-year-old boy sense of humor, then Clark Griswold is a hero. I prefer the edited version, if any, though I’d rather watch Elf. […]