Elf the movie was released on November 7, 2003. It was a holiday comedy film directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel. The story follows a young orphan boy named Buddy who believes he's an elf and leaves the North Pole to find his biological father. Buddy's journey leads him to New York City, where he encounters various obstacles and obstacles as he tries to fit in and find his place in the world.