Elf Trivia

100+ Elf Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: January 6th, 2025

Get ready for some holiday cheer with Elf Trivia! Test your knowledge of the hilarious and heartwarming Christmas movie that has become a modern classic. From Buddy the Elf’s love for syrup to iconic quotes and unforgettable scenes, this trivia will challenge fans of all ages. Whether you’ve watched it a hundred times or are just discovering it, dive into the festive fun and see how much you know about Buddy’s journey from the North Pole to New York City. Ready to spread some Christmas cheer?

General Information

Question: In what magical year did Buddy the Elf make his big-screen debut?

Answer: 2003

Question: Which maestro behind the camera orchestrated the festive chaos of "Elf"?

Answer: Jon Favreau

Question: Who transforms into the oversized, sugar-loving Buddy in "Elf"?

Answer: Will Ferrell

Question: What’s the fancy name of Buddy’s real-life dad who’s more Grinch than elf?

Answer: Walter Hobbs

Question: At which iconic department store does Buddy spread his elfin cheer in NYC?

Answer: Gimbels

Question: Who composed the toe-tapping tunes that make "Elf" extra jolly?

Answer: John Debney

Question: Which enchanting actress brings the lovable Jovie to life alongside Buddy?

Answer: Zooey Deschanel

Question: Who dons the red suit to play Santa Claus with a side of sass in "Elf"?

Answer: Ed Asner

Question: Who penned the whimsical screenplay that made Buddy’s adventures unforgettable?

Answer: David Berenbaum

Question: How much did "Elf" sleigh its way to worldwide box office glory?

Answer: $220 million

Question: What was the budget sleigh ride for producing the festive film "Elf"?

Answer: $33 million

Question: Which legendary actor plays the no-nonsense Walter Hobbs in "Elf"?

Answer: James Caan

Question: What key musical instrument tickles the ivories in "Elf’s" merry soundtrack?

Answer: Piano

Question: Which cool cat voiced the snowman Leon, adding frosty flair to "Elf"?

Answer: Leon Redbone

Question: What’s the name of the savvy Gimbels manager who keeps Buddy on his toes?

Answer: Wanda

Question: What’s the mysterious title of the children’s book Buddy’s dad is crafting at the end?

Answer: Unspecified children's book

Question: Which nostalgic actor channels his inner elf as Ming Ming in "Elf"?

Answer: Peter Billingsley

Question: In which bustling city does Buddy’s hilarious adventure in "Elf" primarily unfold?

Answer: New York City

Question: What vibrant color is Buddy’s signature elf costume, making him impossible to miss?

Answer: Green

Question: Which classic winter tune does Jovie serenade herself with in the shower?

Answer: “Baby, It's Cold Outside”

Question: How does Buddy, the ever-optimistic elf, trek his way to the Big Apple?

Answer: By walking

Question: Which legendary holiday special inspired the twinkling wonder of Buddy’s North Pole?

Answer: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Question: What charming animation technique brings certain magical scenes to life in "Elf"?

Answer: Stop motion

Question: How did little Buddy make his grand entrance to the North Pole as a baby elf?

Answer: Crawled into Santa’s sack

Question: What’s the name of Buddy’s half-brother who adds a dash of family fun to "Elf"?

Answer: Michael Hobbs

Plot Details

Question: Who is the enchanting lady that brought Buddy’s biological mother to life?

Answer: Susan Wells

Question: Where does the big-shot Walter Hobbs hustle his way through the Big Apple?

Answer: Empire State Building

Question: Why did Buddy’s dad find himself on Santa’s Naughty List?

Answer: Selfishness

Question: What whimsical figure does Buddy hilariously mistake for the real Santa in the department store?

Answer: An employee in costume

Question: Which classic toy does Buddy hilariously wield to scribble his heartfelt apology?

Answer: Etch A Sketch

Question: Who is the clever doc that persuades Walter to bring Buddy home after the DNA drama?

Answer: Dr. Leonardo

Question: Where do Buddy and Jovie share their first magical meal together?

Answer: A cafe

Question: What’s the big work drama causing Walter to juggle chaos at the publishing empire?

Answer: Publishing company failure

Question: Who takes the lead in belting out "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" to fuel Santa’s sleigh?

Answer: Jovie

Question: What snowy mishap sends Santa’s sleigh crashing in Central Park?

Answer: It crashes

Question: What nifty discovery does Buddy make that gives Santa’s sleigh its zing?

Answer: The engine

Question: Who hilariously mistakes Buddy for a Christmas-gram messenger?

Answer: Walter Hobbs

Question: How does Buddy transform the department store into a winter wonderland overnight?

Answer: With Christmas decorations

Question: What essential ingredient does Santa declare missing, grounding his sleigh?

Answer: Christmas cheer

Question: Who throws a playful attack on Buddy during his pow-wow with Walter?

Answer: Miles Finch

Question: Where does Buddy embark on his frosty adventure after leaving Walter’s pad?

Answer: Central Park

Question: What drastic move do Walter and Michael make when they realize Buddy’s true identity?

Answer: Quit work to find Buddy

Question: Which magical item does Michael clutch to prove that Santa Claus is the real deal?

Answer: Santa’s list

Question: What chilly weapon does Buddy brandish to fend off bullies in Central Park?

Answer: Snowballs

Question: Who swoops in to help Buddy take down the bullies in Central Park?

Answer: Michael

Question: What cheeky title does Buddy dub the impostor Santa at the department store?

Answer: A throne of lies

Question: What’s Buddy’s heartwarming mission in the bustling streets of New York City?

Answer: To find his father

Question: What surprising truth does Buddy unveil during his DNA test at the doctor’s office?

Answer: That Walter is his father

Question: Who is the jolly adoptive dad that raised Buddy at the North Pole?

Answer: Papa Elf

Question: What sweet treat does Buddy overindulge in, leading to some on-set tummy troubles?

Answer: Too much candy canes and syrup

Production and Behind the Scenes

Question: Who penned the jolly script that brought Buddy’s antics to the big screen?

Answer: David Berenbaum

Question: Which late-night comedy legend was first in line to play Buddy before Chris Farley had a sugar rush?

Answer: Chris Farley

Question: What nostalgic holiday special inspired Jon Favreau to craft Buddy’s frosty wonderland?

Answer: Rankin/Bass Christmas specials

Question: Who lent his vocal chops to Buddy’s legendary belch moments?

Answer: Maurice LaMarche

Question: Where did Buddy trade the North Pole’s snow for the concrete jungle?

Answer: New York City

Question: Which elf-tastic actor improvised the unforgettable line "Santa! I know him!"?

Answer: Will Ferrell

Question: Which comedy queen was initially cast as the savvy Gimbels manager before Wanda Sykes took over?

Answer: Wanda Sykes

Question: Who chugged more sugar than a candy cane factory worker during "Elf" filming?

Answer: Will Ferrell

Question: What nifty gadget did Jon Favreau use to make the Jack in the Box toys spring to life?

Answer: Remote control

Question: Why did "Elf" use those sneaky forced perspective shots, making Buddy tower over tiny elves?

Answer: To exaggerate Buddy’s size compared to North Pole elves

Question: Which comedic superstar gracefully declined the role of the no-nonsense Walter Hobbs?

Answer: Garry Shandling

Question: What sleigh-tastic scene in Central Park gave the cast their biggest holiday challenge?

Answer: The Central Park sleigh crash

Question: Instead of relying on CGI magic, what did "Elf" use to create its festive effects?

Answer: Practical effects

Question: Which star of Buddy’s sugar-fueled journey battled headaches during filming?

Answer: Will Ferrell

Question: Before jingle bells rang, what movie rating was "Elf" initially considered for?

Answer: PG-13

Question: Which smooth-voiced singer crooned "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in the festive film?

Answer: Leon Redbone

Question: Who was Jon Favreau’s dream pick to play Buddy’s dad before James Caan took the role?

Answer: James Caan

Question: Which iconic holiday location hosted the romantic skating scene in Rockefeller Center?

Answer: Skating scene

Question: What heartwarming final scene wrapped up the magical journey of "Elf"?

Answer: The mailroom scene

Question: During filming, what shimmering hair color did Zooey Deschanel sport to dazzle alongside Buddy?

Answer: Blonde

Question: What adorable doodle did Jon Favreau sketch that made it into the festive film?

Answer: Buddy’s crayon drawing of himself

Question: What sweet substitute did Buddy use as cotton balls in the doctor’s office?

Answer: Cotton candy

Question: Who doubled their elf duties by voicing multiple characters, including the charming Mr. Narwhal?

Answer: Director Jon Favreau

Question: What mega cash offer did Will Ferrell turn down in late 2014 to keep Buddy’s story pure?

Answer: $29 million for a sequel

Question: To which legendary dark lords did Jon Favreau liken the Central Park Rangers in "Elf"?

Answer: Ringwraiths from Lord of the Rings

Cultural Impact and Reception

Question: What festive score does "Elf" jingle on Rotten Tomatoes, sleighing the critics?

Answer: 86%

Question: Which other holiday blockbuster did "Elf" deck the box office halls alongside?

Answer: The Polar Express

Question: What groovy award did "Elf" unwrap in 2004, decking its halls with accolades?

Answer: ASCAP award for Top Box Office Films

Question: According to Fandango, where does "Elf" sparkle among 21st-century Christmas classics?

Answer: Best Christmas film

Question: What sweet inspiration fueled Buddy’s candy-munching extravaganza?

Answer: Elves’ diet of candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup

Question: Which jolly tune does the Central Park crowd belt out to power Santa’s sleigh?

Answer: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Question: How did "Elf" turbocharge Will Ferrell’s career into feature film superstardom?

Answer: Proved he could carry a feature film

Question: Which toe-tapping stage musical took a cue from Buddy’s North Pole adventures?

Answer: Elf: The Musical

Question: How did gamers react to the 2004 "Elf" video game, decking the halls with...?

Answer: Generally negative

Question: Who took the reins of directing the NBC animated special "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas"?

Answer: Unspecified director

Question: What catchy tagline jingled all the way to audiences for "Elf"?

Answer: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

Question: What was the highest snowfall of cash "Elf" raked in during its 2018, 2019, and 2020 reissues?

Answer: $2 million

Question: Which savvy publication ranked "Elf" as the third-best Christmas flick of all time?

Answer: Digital Spy

Question: What iconic moment has fans yelling "Santa!" every holiday season?

Answer: Buddy screaming "Santa!"

Question: Which heartwarming phrase from "Elf" became the movie’s merry marketing mantra?

Answer: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

Question: How did James Caan initially feel about Will Ferrell’s over-the-top Buddy on set?

Answer: Found his performance initially too over the top

Question: What’s Buddy’s hilarious realization when he spots the Gimbels Santa?

Answer: Realizes he's not the real Santa

Question: Who earned the title of making "Elf" the ultimate family-friendly festive film?

Answer: Director Jon Favreau

Question: How did "Elf" skate into the UK box office during its opening weekend?

Answer: Opened in second place behind Love Actually

Question: How many shiny nominations did "Elf" receive to spread its holiday magic?

Answer: Nine

Question: Out of all the awards "Elf" jingled for, how many did it actually win?

Answer: Two

Question: What aspect of "Elf" had critics singing high praises year after year?

Answer: Will Ferrell’s performance

Question: What digital dilemma did Jon Favreau battle to keep "Elf" charmingly practical?

Answer: CGI usage

Question: How did the studio sleigh the promotion of "Elf" after Will Ferrell’s hit in "Old School"?

Answer: Aggressively marketed the film

Question: Where does "Elf" twinkle in the constellation of Christmas movie classics?

Answer: Often ranked among the greatest Christmas films of all time