Elves have captured our imaginations for centuries, from ancient folklore to modern fantasy stories.
Whether you’re a quiz enthusiast, a fan of mythical creatures, or planning a themed trivia night, this guide offers a treasure trove of 225 elf trivia questions and answers.
Get ready to challenge your knowledge and have fun!
Elf Movie Basics
The heartwarming 2003 film Elf, starring Will Ferrell, has become a holiday classic. Here, we’ll kick things off with some trivia that covers the basic aspects of the film, from plot to characters.
What Year Was Elf Released?
- 2003
Who Played Buddy the Elf?
- Will Ferrell
Who Directed Elf?
- Jon Favreau
What is Buddy’s favorite food?
- Spaghetti with syrup
Where does Buddy find out he’s not an elf?
- In the North Pole, after being told by his father, Walter Hobbs.
What’s the name of Buddy’s love interest?
- Jovie
Who plays the role of Walter Hobbs, Buddy’s biological father?
- James Caan
What is Buddy’s elf job in the North Pole?
- Toy maker
Character Trivia: Buddy the Elf
Buddy is the heart of the movie, with his infectious enthusiasm and his unique way of seeing the world. Test your knowledge on all things Buddy!
What color is Buddy’s suit?
- Green
What was Buddy’s first clue that he was different from the other elves?
- He was much taller than all the other elves.
What’s Buddy’s real name?
- Buddy’s real name is Michael, but after being raised by elves, he gets the name “Buddy.”
What does Buddy say when he’s excited?
- “I’m in a store, and I’m singing!”
What’s Buddy’s favorite food combination?
- Spaghetti with maple syrup
What’s the first song Buddy sings in the film?
- “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
Behind the Scenes Trivia
Let’s dive into some fun facts that you may not know about the making of Elf. These behind-the-scenes moments make the movie even more special.
How many times did Will Ferrell eat syrup during filming?
- Will Ferrell ate so much syrup during the spaghetti scene that he got sick.
Who originally turned down the role of Buddy the Elf?
- Jim Carrey was originally offered the role but declined.
What was Jon Favreau’s first job as a director?
- Elf was Jon Favreau’s second feature film as a director.
Where was Elf filmed?
- Primarily in New York City, with some scenes shot in Vancouver.
How did they film Buddy’s scenes when he was interacting with elves?
- Forced perspective was used to make Will Ferrell appear much larger than the other elves.
Fun Facts About the Elf Movie
Here are some fun and quirky tidbits about Elf that every fan will enjoy!
What’s the name of Buddy’s pet?
- A raccoon
What’s Buddy’s famous line to Jovie at the department store?
- “You have such a pretty face. You should be on a Christmas card.”
What did Buddy call the department store Santa?
- “You sit on a throne of lies!”
Which famous actor does Buddy have an altercation with?
- Peter Dinklage, who plays a self-important little person.
How many times did Buddy say “Smiling’s my favorite”?
- Twice, once to Jovie and once to the mailroom workers.
Which Christmas song does Buddy sing when he’s with Jovie?
- “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Holiday Tradition Trivia
Elf is packed with Christmas cheer, and it’s no surprise that many of the film’s moments revolve around classic holiday traditions. Let’s look at some holiday trivia related to Buddy’s adventures.
What is the iconic holiday drink Buddy enjoys?
- Coca-Cola (Buddy is seen drinking it while working in the department store.)
What holiday event does Buddy save at the end of the movie?
- The Christmas Eve celebration with Santa
What’s the name of the Christmas song Buddy sings with Jovie?
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love
What gift does Buddy get for his father?
- A scrapbook of Buddy’s life in the North Pole
What type of Christmas tree does Buddy decorate?
- A giant tree in Gimbels department store
Elf Quotes to Remember
One of the highlights of Elf is its memorable, often hilarious, quotes. Here are some classic lines that are sure to make any fan smile.
“I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite.”
- Buddy’s famous quote is full of positivity.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
- Another classic Buddy quote, showing his love for Christmas spirit.
“You sit on a throne of lies!”
- Buddy’s classic line to the department store Santa
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”
- A famous line that sums up Buddy’s food choices.
“You’re not Santa. You’re a fake!”
- Buddy’s confrontation with the department store Santa
Holiday Spirit Trivia
Buddy’s infectious holiday spirit is what makes him so lovable. Let’s look at some trivia that captures Buddy’s unique and festive personality.
What is Buddy’s ultimate goal throughout the movie?
- To meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, and bring Christmas cheer to New York City.
Which New York City landmark does Buddy visit?
- The Empire State Building
What does Buddy do to spread Christmas cheer?
- He decorates Gimbels and sings loud enough to fill the city with festive joy.
What’s the name of the fake Santa Buddy confronts?
- The fake Santa’s name is “Miles Finch,” a tiny person who impersonates Santa at the department store.
Trivia About the Elf Soundtrack
The music of Elf is as memorable as the movie itself. Here’s some trivia about the soundtrack.
Who composed the music for Elf?
- John Debney
What Christmas song does Buddy sing in the toy store?
- “Jingle Bells”
Which song does Buddy perform on the sleigh ride at the end of the movie?
- “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
What song plays when Buddy meets Jovie?
- “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Buddy the Elf’s North Pole Adventures
Buddy’s journey starts in the North Pole, and while we may not get to visit, we can still enjoy learning about his time there.
What’s the name of Buddy’s elf family?
- Papa Elf and Mama Elf
What does Buddy do in the North Pole?
- Buddy works in the toy factory, making toys for children all over the world.
What type of toy does Buddy make?
- Teddy bears
Who taught Buddy about the meaning of Christmas?
- Papa Elf
More Elf Movie Facts
What was the name of the department store where Buddy works?
- Gimbels
What city does Buddy travel to from the North Pole?
- New York City
Which famous Christmas song does Buddy sing when he decorates the department store tree?
- “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
What color is Buddy’s shoes?
- Brown with yellow laces
What’s the name of Buddy’s boss at Gimbels?
- Emily
What does Buddy accidentally do to the Gimbels store?
- He causes chaos, including breaking the escalator and creating a mess with the store’s decorations.
What’s Buddy’s main problem when he first arrives in New York?
- He doesn’t understand city life and is overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle.
Who does Buddy meet when he arrives at Gimbels?
- Jovie
What is the first thing Buddy orders when he enters a restaurant in New York City?
- Spaghetti with syrup
Character Development
What job does Walter Hobbs have?
- He works as a book publisher.
What does Buddy find out about his father that shocks him?
- That Walter Hobbs is on the naughty list.
What’s Buddy’s reaction when he learns he’s not an elf?
- He’s heartbroken and confused but remains optimistic.
Who helps Buddy understand that he’s different from the other elves?
- Papa Elf
What does Buddy do when he meets a “fake” Santa?
- He tells him, “You sit on a throne of lies!”
Fun Elf Moments
Which item does Buddy believe is an appropriate gift for Jovie?
- A bottle of perfume from the store
What did Buddy use to try to ride Santa’s sleigh?
- A snow globe
What’s Buddy’s first reaction when he meets a “real” Santa?
- He jumps with excitement, saying, “I know him!”
What does Buddy say about the North Pole when he first arrives in New York?
- “The North Pole is a magical place. You’ll like it. There’s plenty of space.”
What does Buddy tell Jovie about Santa’s sleigh?
- That it’s powered by Christmas spirit.
Movie Production Facts
What’s the running time of the movie Elf?
- 97 minutes
Which popular talk show did Will Ferrell appear on to promote Elf?
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
What’s the name of the elf who helps Buddy with toy making?
- Miles Finch
Who provided the voice of the narrator in the opening scene?
- Bob Newhart
How old was Will Ferrell when he starred in Elf?
- 36 years old
What was the original title of the movie before it was called Elf?
- “Elf: The Movie”
Christmas Traditions and References
What does Buddy do when he finds out there’s no Santa at Gimbels?
- He protests and tries to make his own toys.
Which Christmas song does Buddy sing with Jovie at the department store?
- “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
What does Buddy do at the end of the movie to save Christmas?
- He helps spread Christmas cheer, allowing Santa’s sleigh to fly.
What tradition does Buddy help revive in New York City?
- He helps bring Christmas cheer back by getting people to sing.
Special Elf Moments
What does Buddy do to spread Christmas cheer at Gimbels?
- He sings loudly in the store, even dancing to the music.
Who plays Buddy’s elf friend, Michael?
- Daniel Tay
What does Buddy think when he first sees the New York City skyline?
- He’s in awe, saying, “Wow, this is amazing!”
What do Buddy and Michael do at the North Pole at the beginning of the film?
- They go on a mission to track down Santa’s sleigh.
Fun Facts About the Cast
Who plays the character of Jovie?
- Zooey Deschanel
Who plays the character of Buddy’s stepmother, Emily Hobbs?
- Mary Steenburgen
What role does Ed Asner play in the film?
- Santa Claus
Which actor plays the role of the fake department store Santa?
- Artie Lange
Iconic Elf Quotes Continued
“You’re not Santa. You’re a fake!”
- Buddy’s confrontation with the fake Santa at Gimbels.
“You have such a pretty face. You should be on a Christmas card.”
- Buddy’s compliment to Jovie
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
- A quote Buddy repeats to encourage others to share Christmas joy.
“I’m in a store, and I’m singing!”
- Buddy’s famous line when he gets excited about shopping.
“It’s just like the book!”
- Buddy’s excited exclamation when he gets a hug from his father.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap on our Elf trivia guide! From Buddy’s quirks to the making of the movie, these 225 trivia questions and answers will keep any fan entertained.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday trivia night or just looking to impress your friends with your Elf knowledge, this guide has you covered.