Elf (2003)

Elf
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $187,061,739Details
International Box Office $46,812,848
Worldwide Box Office $233,874,587
Further financial details...

Synopsis

Buddy 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, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$31,113,501 (16.6% of total gross)
Legs:6.01 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:80.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$32,000,000 (worldwide box office is 7.3 times production budget)
Theater counts:3,337 opening theaters/3,381 max. theaters, 8.9 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $355,927,955

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 7th, 2003 (Wide) by New Line
December 6th, 2019 (Special Engagement) by Warner Bros.
November 25th, 2020 (Wide) by New Line
January 1st, 2021 (Special Engagement) by Warner Bros.
December 16th, 2022 (Limited)
December 12th, 2025 (Limited) by Warner Bros.
International Releases: November 13th, 2003 (Wide) (New Zealand)
November 27th, 2003 (Wide) (Australia)
December 6th, 2019 (Wide), released as Elf (Re: 2019) (United Kingdom)
November 20th, 2020 (Limited) (Australia)
November 26th, 2021 (Wide), released as Elf (Re: 2021) (United Kingdom)
Video Release: November 16th, 2004 by New Line Home Video
MPA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and language.
Running Time: 97 minutes
Franchise: Elf
Plot point: Adopted Family Seeking Reunion
Release detail: Christmas in November
Social setting: Adopted Family, Christmas
Subgenre: Farcical / Slapstick Comedy
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Kids Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Guy Walks Into a Bar
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 7, 2003 2 $31,113,501   3,337 $9,324   $31,113,501 1
Nov 14, 2003 1 $26,325,613 -15% 3,381 $7,786   $70,354,526 2
Nov 21, 2003 3 $18,715,992 -29% 3,381 $5,536   $94,732,626 3
Nov 28, 2003 3 $21,649,842 +16% 3,202 $6,761   $129,009,719 4
Dec 5, 2003 4 $8,026,797 -63% 3,119 $2,574   $139,527,719 5
Dec 12, 2003 6 $6,017,341 -25% 2,876 $2,092   $147,507,398 6
Dec 19, 2003 5 $5,502,635 -9% 2,451 $2,245   $154,812,967 7
Dec 26, 2003 10 $3,906,028 -29% 2,015 $1,938   $164,648,692 8
Jan 2, 2004 14 $2,303,567 -41% 1,768 $1,303   $170,837,644 9
Jan 9, 2004 23 $499,785 -78% 811 $616   $171,733,083 10
Jan 16, 2004 32 $217,683 -56% 273 $797   $172,062,189 11
Jan 23, 2004 28 $247,030 +13% 301 $821   $172,421,204 12
Jan 30, 2004 31 $205,837 -17% 306 $673   $172,696,490 13
Feb 6, 2004 32 $196,063 -5% 295 $665   $172,952,631 14
Feb 13, 2004 37 $179,100 -9% 245 $731   $173,180,828 15
Feb 20, 2004 45 $93,614 -48% 173 $541   $173,305,906 16
Feb 27, 2004 54 $51,403 -45% 121 $425   $173,381,405 17
Dec 11, 2020 3 $395,000   850 $465   $175,021,840 893
Dec 18, 2020 4 $365,000 -8% 600 $608   $175,391,840 894
Dec 25, 2020 9 $115,000 -68% 300 $383   $175,511,840 895
Jan 1, 2021 - $25,000 -78% 100 $250   $175,531,840 896
Dec 16, 2022 11 $278,500   270 $1,031   $178,100,000 998

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Nov 7, 2003 2 $9,151,000     3,337 $2,742   $9,151,000 1
Nov 8, 2003 2 $13,048,000 +43%   3,337 $3,910   $22,081,000 2
Nov 9, 2003 2 $9,033,000 -31%   3,337 $2,707   $31,113,501 3
Nov 10, 2003 2 $3,864,000 -57%   3,337 $1,158   $34,977,000 4
Nov 11, 2003 1 $5,904,000 +53%   3,337 $1,769   $40,881,000 5
Nov 12, 2003 2 $1,741,000 -71%   3,337 $522   $42,622,000 6
Nov 13, 2003 2 $1,752,000 +1%   3,337 $525   $44,029,000 7
Nov 14, 2003 2 $7,276,000 +315% -20% 3,381 $2,152   $51,305,000 8
Nov 15, 2003 1 $11,819,000 +62% -9% 3,381 $3,496   $63,139,000 9
Nov 16, 2003 1 $7,216,000 -39% -20% 3,381 $2,134   $70,354,526 10
Nov 17, 2003 2 $1,381,000 -81% -64% 3,381 $408   $71,736,000 11
Nov 18, 2003 2 $1,554,000 +13% -74% 3,381 $460   $73,290,000 12
Nov 19, 2003 2 $1,314,000 -15% -25% 3,381 $389   $74,603,000 13
Nov 20, 2003 2 $1,395,000 +6% -20% 3,381 $413   $76,017,000 14
Nov 21, 2003 3 $5,500,000 +294% -24% 3,381 $1,627   $81,500,000 15
Nov 22, 2003 2 $8,300,000 +51% -30% 3,381 $2,455   $89,800,000 16
Nov 23, 2003 2 $5,100,000 -39% -29% 3,381 $1,508   $94,732,626 17
Nov 24, 2003 3 $1,374,000 -73% -1% 3,381 $406   $96,106,000 18
Nov 25, 2003 2 $2,150,000 +56% +38% 3,381 $636   $98,256,000 19
Nov 26, 2003 3 $4,000,000 +86% +204% 3,202 $1,249   $102,300,000 20
Nov 27, 2003 1 $5,700,000 +43% +309% 3,202 $1,780   $108,000,000 21
Nov 28, 2003 3 $9,400,000 +65% +71% 3,202 $2,936   $117,400,000 22
Nov 29, 2003 3 $8,319,000 -12% n/c 3,202 $2,598   $125,201,000 23
Nov 30, 2003 3 $3,809,000 -54% -25% 3,202 $1,190   $129,009,719 24
Dec 1, 2003 4 $693,000 -82% -50% 3,202 $216   $129,703,000 25
Dec 2, 2003 4 $648,000 -6% -70% 3,202 $202   $130,351,000 26
Dec 3, 2003 4 $571,000 -12% -86% 3,202 $178   $130,922,000 27
Dec 4, 2003 3 $593,000 +4% -90% 3,202 $185   $131,501,000 28
Dec 5, 2003 3 $2,300,000 +288% -76% 3,119 $737   $133,800,000 29
Dec 6, 2003 4 $3,616,000 +57% -57% 3,119 $1,159   $137,425,000 30
Dec 7, 2003 5 $2,103,000 -42% -45% 3,119 $674   $139,527,719 31
Dec 8, 2003 4 $457,000 -78% -34% 3,119 $147   $139,985,000 32
Dec 9, 2003 4 $508,000 +11% -22% 3,119 $163   $140,493,000 33
Dec 10, 2003 3 $500,000 -2% -12% 3,119 $160   $140,993,000 34
Dec 11, 2003 3 $508,000 +2% -14% 3,119 $163   $141,501,000 35
Dec 12, 2003 7 $1,700,000 +235% -26% 2,876 $591   $143,200,000 36
Dec 13, 2003 6 $2,797,000 +65% -23% 2,876 $973   $145,957,000 37
Dec 14, 2003 6 $1,550,000 -45% -26% 2,876 $539   $147,507,398 38
Dec 15, 2003 5 $405,000 -74% -11% 2,876 $141   $147,912,000 39
Dec 16, 2003 6 $441,000 +9% -13% 2,876 $153   $148,353,000 40
Dec 17, 2003 6 $454,000 +3% -9% 2,876 $158   $148,807,000 41
Dec 18, 2003 6 $534,000 +18% +5% 2,876 $186   $149,310,000 42
Dec 19, 2003 6 $1,500,000 +181% -12% 2,451 $612   $150,800,000 43
Dec 20, 2003 5 $2,195,000 +46% -22% 2,451 $896   $152,935,000 44
Dec 21, 2003 5 $1,878,000 -14% +21% 2,451 $766   $154,813,000 45
Dec 22, 2003 4 $1,546,000 -18% +282% 2,451 $631   $156,359,000 46
Dec 23, 2003 4 $1,900,000 +23% +331% 2,451 $775   $158,259,000 47
Dec 24, 2003 3 $1,248,000 -34% +175% 2,451 $509   $159,507,000 48
Dec 25, 2003 10 $1,213,000 -3% +127% 2,015 $602   $160,720,000 49
Dec 26, 2003 10 $1,500,000 +24% n/c 2,015 $744   $162,200,000 50
Dec 27, 2003 10 $1,359,000 -9% -38% 2,015 $674   $163,593,000 51
Dec 28, 2003 11 $1,056,000 -22% -44% 2,015 $524   $164,648,692 52
Dec 29, 2003 9 $912,000 -14% -41% 2,015 $453   $165,561,000 53
Dec 30, 2003 9 $1,085,000 +19% -43% 2,015 $538   $166,712,000 54
Dec 31, 2003 9 $900,000 -17% -28% 2,015 $447   $167,600,000 55
Jan 19, 2004 29 $69,837     273 $256   $172,132,026 74
Dec 16, 2022 15 $46,000     270 $170   $175,577,840 6,980

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 7, 2003 2 $44,028,913   3,337 $13,194   $44,028,913 1
Nov 14, 2003 2 $31,987,721 -27% 3,381 $9,461   $76,016,634 2
Nov 21, 2003 2 $31,343,243 -2% 3,381 $9,270   $107,359,877 3
Nov 28, 2003 3 $24,141,045 -23% 3,202 $7,539   $131,500,922 4
Dec 5, 2003 4 $9,989,135 -59% 3,119 $3,203   $141,490,057 5
Dec 12, 2003 6 $7,820,275 -22% 2,876 $2,719   $149,310,332 6
Dec 19, 2003 5 $11,432,332 +46% 2,451 $4,664   $160,742,664 7
Dec 26, 2003 9 $7,791,413 -32% 2,015 $3,867   $168,534,077 8
Jan 2, 2004 14 $2,699,221 -65% 1,768 $1,527   $171,233,298 9
Jan 9, 2004 23 $611,208 -77% 811 $754   $171,844,506 10
Jan 16, 2004 34 $329,668 -46% 273 $1,208   $172,174,174 11
Jan 23, 2004 28 $316,479 -4% 301 $1,051   $172,490,653 12
Jan 30, 2004 32 $265,915 -16% 306 $869   $172,756,568 13
Feb 6, 2004 33 $245,160 -8% 295 $831   $173,001,728 14
Feb 13, 2004 39 $210,564 -14% 245 $859   $173,212,292 15
Feb 20, 2004 50 $117,710 -44% 173 $680   $173,330,002 16
Feb 27, 2004 51 $68,516 -42% 121 $566   $173,398,518 17
Dec 11, 2020 4 $400,000   850 $471   $175,026,840 893
Dec 18, 2020 - $365,000 -9% 600 $608   $175,391,840 894
Dec 25, 2020 - $115,000 -68% 300 $383   $175,506,840 895
Jan 1, 2021 - $25,000 -78% 100 $250   $175,531,840 896

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.


Synopsis

Buddy 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, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$31,113,501 (16.6% of total gross)
Legs:6.01 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:80.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$32,000,000 (worldwide box office is 7.3 times production budget)
Theater counts:3,337 opening theaters/3,381 max. theaters, 8.9 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $355,927,955

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 7th, 2003 (Wide) by New Line
December 6th, 2019 (Special Engagement) by Warner Bros.
November 25th, 2020 (Wide) by New Line
January 1st, 2021 (Special Engagement) by Warner Bros.
December 16th, 2022 (Limited)
December 12th, 2025 (Limited) by Warner Bros.
International Releases: November 13th, 2003 (Wide) (New Zealand)
November 27th, 2003 (Wide) (Australia)
December 6th, 2019 (Wide), released as Elf (Re: 2019) (United Kingdom)
November 20th, 2020 (Limited) (Australia)
November 26th, 2021 (Wide), released as Elf (Re: 2021) (United Kingdom)
Video Release: November 16th, 2004 by New Line Home Video
MPA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and language.
Running Time: 97 minutes
Franchise: Elf
Plot point: Adopted Family Seeking Reunion
Release detail: Christmas in November
Social setting: Adopted Family, Christmas
Subgenre: Farcical / Slapstick Comedy
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Kids Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Guy Walks Into a Bar
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 7, 2003 2 $31,113,501   3,337 $9,324   $31,113,501 1
Nov 14, 2003 1 $26,325,613 -15% 3,381 $7,786   $70,354,526 2
Nov 21, 2003 3 $18,715,992 -29% 3,381 $5,536   $94,732,626 3
Nov 28, 2003 3 $21,649,842 +16% 3,202 $6,761   $129,009,719 4
Dec 5, 2003 4 $8,026,797 -63% 3,119 $2,574   $139,527,719 5
Dec 12, 2003 6 $6,017,341 -25% 2,876 $2,092   $147,507,398 6
Dec 19, 2003 5 $5,502,635 -9% 2,451 $2,245   $154,812,967 7
Dec 26, 2003 10 $3,906,028 -29% 2,015 $1,938   $164,648,692 8
Jan 2, 2004 14 $2,303,567 -41% 1,768 $1,303   $170,837,644 9
Jan 9, 2004 23 $499,785 -78% 811 $616   $171,733,083 10
Jan 16, 2004 32 $217,683 -56% 273 $797   $172,062,189 11
Jan 23, 2004 28 $247,030 +13% 301 $821   $172,421,204 12
Jan 30, 2004 31 $205,837 -17% 306 $673   $172,696,490 13
Feb 6, 2004 32 $196,063 -5% 295 $665   $172,952,631 14
Feb 13, 2004 37 $179,100 -9% 245 $731   $173,180,828 15
Feb 20, 2004 45 $93,614 -48% 173 $541   $173,305,906 16
Feb 27, 2004 54 $51,403 -45% 121 $425   $173,381,405 17
Dec 11, 2020 3 $395,000   850 $465   $175,021,840 893
Dec 18, 2020 4 $365,000 -8% 600 $608   $175,391,840 894
Dec 25, 2020 9 $115,000 -68% 300 $383   $175,511,840 895
Jan 1, 2021 - $25,000 -78% 100 $250   $175,531,840 896
Dec 16, 2022 11 $278,500   270 $1,031   $178,100,000 998

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Nov 7, 2003 2 $9,151,000     3,337 $2,742   $9,151,000 1
Nov 8, 2003 2 $13,048,000 +43%   3,337 $3,910   $22,081,000 2
Nov 9, 2003 2 $9,033,000 -31%   3,337 $2,707   $31,113,501 3
Nov 10, 2003 2 $3,864,000 -57%   3,337 $1,158   $34,977,000 4
Nov 11, 2003 1 $5,904,000 +53%   3,337 $1,769   $40,881,000 5
Nov 12, 2003 2 $1,741,000 -71%   3,337 $522   $42,622,000 6
Nov 13, 2003 2 $1,752,000 +1%   3,337 $525   $44,029,000 7
Nov 14, 2003 2 $7,276,000 +315% -20% 3,381 $2,152   $51,305,000 8
Nov 15, 2003 1 $11,819,000 +62% -9% 3,381 $3,496   $63,139,000 9
Nov 16, 2003 1 $7,216,000 -39% -20% 3,381 $2,134   $70,354,526 10
Nov 17, 2003 2 $1,381,000 -81% -64% 3,381 $408   $71,736,000 11
Nov 18, 2003 2 $1,554,000 +13% -74% 3,381 $460   $73,290,000 12
Nov 19, 2003 2 $1,314,000 -15% -25% 3,381 $389   $74,603,000 13
Nov 20, 2003 2 $1,395,000 +6% -20% 3,381 $413   $76,017,000 14
Nov 21, 2003 3 $5,500,000 +294% -24% 3,381 $1,627   $81,500,000 15
Nov 22, 2003 2 $8,300,000 +51% -30% 3,381 $2,455   $89,800,000 16
Nov 23, 2003 2 $5,100,000 -39% -29% 3,381 $1,508   $94,732,626 17
Nov 24, 2003 3 $1,374,000 -73% -1% 3,381 $406   $96,106,000 18
Nov 25, 2003 2 $2,150,000 +56% +38% 3,381 $636   $98,256,000 19
Nov 26, 2003 3 $4,000,000 +86% +204% 3,202 $1,249   $102,300,000 20
Nov 27, 2003 1 $5,700,000 +43% +309% 3,202 $1,780   $108,000,000 21
Nov 28, 2003 3 $9,400,000 +65% +71% 3,202 $2,936   $117,400,000 22
Nov 29, 2003 3 $8,319,000 -12% n/c 3,202 $2,598   $125,201,000 23
Nov 30, 2003 3 $3,809,000 -54% -25% 3,202 $1,190   $129,009,719 24
Dec 1, 2003 4 $693,000 -82% -50% 3,202 $216   $129,703,000 25
Dec 2, 2003 4 $648,000 -6% -70% 3,202 $202   $130,351,000 26
Dec 3, 2003 4 $571,000 -12% -86% 3,202 $178   $130,922,000 27
Dec 4, 2003 3 $593,000 +4% -90% 3,202 $185   $131,501,000 28
Dec 5, 2003 3 $2,300,000 +288% -76% 3,119 $737   $133,800,000 29
Dec 6, 2003 4 $3,616,000 +57% -57% 3,119 $1,159   $137,425,000 30
Dec 7, 2003 5 $2,103,000 -42% -45% 3,119 $674   $139,527,719 31
Dec 8, 2003 4 $457,000 -78% -34% 3,119 $147   $139,985,000 32
Dec 9, 2003 4 $508,000 +11% -22% 3,119 $163   $140,493,000 33
Dec 10, 2003 3 $500,000 -2% -12% 3,119 $160   $140,993,000 34
Dec 11, 2003 3 $508,000 +2% -14% 3,119 $163   $141,501,000 35
Dec 12, 2003 7 $1,700,000 +235% -26% 2,876 $591   $143,200,000 36
Dec 13, 2003 6 $2,797,000 +65% -23% 2,876 $973   $145,957,000 37
Dec 14, 2003 6 $1,550,000 -45% -26% 2,876 $539   $147,507,398 38
Dec 15, 2003 5 $405,000 -74% -11% 2,876 $141   $147,912,000 39
Dec 16, 2003 6 $441,000 +9% -13% 2,876 $153   $148,353,000 40
Dec 17, 2003 6 $454,000 +3% -9% 2,876 $158   $148,807,000 41
Dec 18, 2003 6 $534,000 +18% +5% 2,876 $186   $149,310,000 42
Dec 19, 2003 6 $1,500,000 +181% -12% 2,451 $612   $150,800,000 43
Dec 20, 2003 5 $2,195,000 +46% -22% 2,451 $896   $152,935,000 44
Dec 21, 2003 5 $1,878,000 -14% +21% 2,451 $766   $154,813,000 45
Dec 22, 2003 4 $1,546,000 -18% +282% 2,451 $631   $156,359,000 46
Dec 23, 2003 4 $1,900,000 +23% +331% 2,451 $775   $158,259,000 47
Dec 24, 2003 3 $1,248,000 -34% +175% 2,451 $509   $159,507,000 48
Dec 25, 2003 10 $1,213,000 -3% +127% 2,015 $602   $160,720,000 49
Dec 26, 2003 10 $1,500,000 +24% n/c 2,015 $744   $162,200,000 50
Dec 27, 2003 10 $1,359,000 -9% -38% 2,015 $674   $163,593,000 51
Dec 28, 2003 11 $1,056,000 -22% -44% 2,015 $524   $164,648,692 52
Dec 29, 2003 9 $912,000 -14% -41% 2,015 $453   $165,561,000 53
Dec 30, 2003 9 $1,085,000 +19% -43% 2,015 $538   $166,712,000 54
Dec 31, 2003 9 $900,000 -17% -28% 2,015 $447   $167,600,000 55
Jan 19, 2004 29 $69,837     273 $256   $172,132,026 74
Dec 16, 2022 15 $46,000     270 $170   $175,577,840 6,980

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 7, 2003 2 $44,028,913   3,337 $13,194   $44,028,913 1
Nov 14, 2003 2 $31,987,721 -27% 3,381 $9,461   $76,016,634 2
Nov 21, 2003 2 $31,343,243 -2% 3,381 $9,270   $107,359,877 3
Nov 28, 2003 3 $24,141,045 -23% 3,202 $7,539   $131,500,922 4
Dec 5, 2003 4 $9,989,135 -59% 3,119 $3,203   $141,490,057 5
Dec 12, 2003 6 $7,820,275 -22% 2,876 $2,719   $149,310,332 6
Dec 19, 2003 5 $11,432,332 +46% 2,451 $4,664   $160,742,664 7
Dec 26, 2003 9 $7,791,413 -32% 2,015 $3,867   $168,534,077 8
Jan 2, 2004 14 $2,699,221 -65% 1,768 $1,527   $171,233,298 9
Jan 9, 2004 23 $611,208 -77% 811 $754   $171,844,506 10
Jan 16, 2004 34 $329,668 -46% 273 $1,208   $172,174,174 11
Jan 23, 2004 28 $316,479 -4% 301 $1,051   $172,490,653 12
Jan 30, 2004 32 $265,915 -16% 306 $869   $172,756,568 13
Feb 6, 2004 33 $245,160 -8% 295 $831   $173,001,728 14
Feb 13, 2004 39 $210,564 -14% 245 $859   $173,212,292 15
Feb 20, 2004 50 $117,710 -44% 173 $680   $173,330,002 16
Feb 27, 2004 51 $68,516 -42% 121 $566   $173,398,518 17
Dec 11, 2020 4 $400,000   850 $471   $175,026,840 893
Dec 18, 2020 - $365,000 -9% 600 $608   $175,391,840 894
Dec 25, 2020 - $115,000 -68% 300 $383   $175,506,840 895
Jan 1, 2021 - $25,000 -78% 100 $250   $175,531,840 896

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.