Is Elf on TV this Christmas? Why one of the UK’s most loved festive movies is only available on demand in 2017
Fans of Will Farrell’s festive comedy might want to brace themselves for some upsetting news
WILL Ferrell running around New York in green tights has become one of the staple films of every family's Christmas TV list.
But fans of comedy movie Elf may be left feeling bereft and cheated for another year as it won’t be shown on TV at all this Christmas.
Not one single channel – not on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, not even Sky Movies.
But why won’t the film be shown this year after the outcry over it not being shown last year? Here’s what we know.
What is Elf all about?
For anyone who has never seen the film, Elf tells the story of one of Santa Claus’s elves called Buddy who ended up at the North Pole after he stowed away as an orphaned baby in Santa’s sack one Christmas.
Adopted and raised as an elf by Papa Elf, Buddy grows up and realises there is something different about him compared to the other elves.
After accidentally finding out that he’s actually a human being, Buddy sets off to New York to meet his biological father and spread Christmas cheer to everyone.
Who’s in the Elf cast?
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf while his father Walter Hobbs is played by James Caan.
Zooey Deschanel plays Buddy’s love interest Jovie while Bob Newhart stars as Papa Elf, and Mary Steenburgen plays Buddy’s stepmother Emily Hobbs.
Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage stars as successful children’s author Mile Finch who Buddy hilariously mistakes for an elf.
Why is it not on TV this Christmas?
Despite being one of the nation’s favourite Christmas movies, not one single TV channel is showing it over the festivities. Not one.
It’s not going to be on the BBC, nor ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, not even Sky Movies. Not even to rent or buy from Sky Movies.
Sky said it was not able to show it last year as the studio didn’t give them the rights to it this year.
Check out these surprising facts many fans didn't know about the film and if you're a super-fan, we're afraid this sinister fan theory could ruin the film for you forever.
So how can I watch Elf?
While neither Netflix or Amazon are showing it either, you can rent or buy the classic Christmas film to stream on Amazon.
It can also be purchased on Google Play, bought for £8.99 or rented for £3.49 from iTunes.
The DVD and Blu-ray are available via , or and .