Movies like What the Elf?!
The best movies like What the Elf?! (2023) are Santa's Workshop (1932), Once Upon a Snowman (2020) and Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011). If What the Elf?! hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
What the Elf?!
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMerry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008)7.3/10 from 241 votes
- NewestPrep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025)Released 2025
Santa's Workshop (1932)
Santa's little helpers must hurry to finish the toys before Christmas Day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnce Upon a Snowman (2020)
The previously untold origins of Olaf, the innocent and insightful, summer-loving snowman are revealed as we follow Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)
A Christmas elf accidentally takes off in Santa's sleigh, crash lands in a small town, and loses the magic toy bag. Beethoven must rescue the elf, recover the bag from greedy crooks, and return the sleigh to Santa in time to save Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCharlie Brown's Christmas Tales (2002)
Tis the season for the cheer and charm of the Peanuts kids - and this delight special offers five segments full of unforgettable moments. Snoopy works as a bell-ringer to raise money and tries making peace with the ferocious cat next door. Linus strives to strike the right tone in his letter to Santa - and his friendship with an indecisive girl at school. Sally's idea about gift giving and the identity of Santa may be unusual - but her strange notion about how to obtain a Christmas tree surprisingly does the job. Lucy tries awfully hard to be nice...and still coax everyone around her to buy her presents. Charlie Brown and Sally wait up for Santa (a surprisingly short man), who spreads Christmas gift cheer further than they had thought. Make merry!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Amy, Kiki and Carla – three under-appreciated and over-burdened women – rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for mothers: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMerry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008)
Step brothers Drake and Josh must give a foster family the best Christmas ever or face years in jail for a Christmas party gone wrong.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSanta's Little Helpers (2019)
After being accidentally stranded at the North Pole, the Minions decide to embrace their new surroundings by taking on the role of Santa's helpers. Chaos and hilarity ensue as they attempt to prove their worth as elves, bringing their signature mischief to the workshop in this festive, lighthearted holiday adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCandy Cane Lane (2023)
Determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest, family man Chris makes a pact with an elf to help him out-do the competition. However, the elf casts a spell bringing the twelve days of Christmas to life, unleashing chaos on the small unsuspecting town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOlaf's Frozen Adventure (2017)
Olaf is on a mission to harness the best holiday traditions for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBah, Humduck!: A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Daffy Duck is the greedy proprietor of the Lucky Duck Mega-Mart and all he can think about is the money to be made during the holiday season.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)
When Grouchy Smurf behaves badly to everyone and refuses to celebrate Christmas, the Smurfs of Christmas Past, Present and Future teach him to appreciate Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)
When Brian Conway, a successful businessman whose family relationships have suffered, gets in a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to redo the day and repair the relationships in his life, including with his daughter Michelle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJingle All the Way (1996)
Howard Langston, a salesman for a mattress company, is constantly kept busy at his job, disappointing his son. After he misses his son's karate exposition, Howard vows to make it up to him by buying an action figure of his son's favorite television hero for Christmas. Unfortunately for Howard, it is Christmas Eve, and every store is sold out of Turbo Man. Now, Howard must travel all over town and compete with everybody else to find a Turbo Man action figure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnce Upon a Deadpool (2018)
A kidnapped Fred Savage is forced to endure Deadpool's PG-13 rendition of Deadpool 2, as a Princess Bride-esque story full of magic, wonder, and zero Fs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShrek the Halls (2007)
The Christmas tree isn't the only thing green in this new holiday classic. Shrek is back and trying to get into the spirit of the season. After promising Fiona and the kids a Christmas they'll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday. But just when he thinks he has everything for their quiet family Christmas just right, there is a knock at the door.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Best Man Holiday (2013)
When college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be reignited.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrolls Holiday in Harmony (2021)
Queen Poppy plans the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift Swap, but things don't go quite as expected.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisToy Story That Time Forgot (2014)
During a post-Christmas play date, the gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie's room in this Toy Story That Time Forgot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021)
After a series of mishaps, Mickey, Minnie and the gang are separated all over the world and must try to get back to Hot Dog Hills by Christmas Eve. A mysterious and jolly stranger shows up to tell them about The Wishing Star, which could be the secret to bringing everybody home in time to celebrate together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025)
Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne panic when their holiday missions go awry, leaving Wayne thinking he's in BIG trouble with Santa and accidentally revealing other merry mishaps.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPizza (2005)
Strange voice talking about its favorite food.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Guest (2021)
A boy is awoken by a presence and goes to investigate.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Holy Family (2019)
A dark comedy about a family of five brothers, a single and unemployed mother, and a grandmother. They live tight in a small apartment in Benfica. Everything gets complicated on the day when the emblematic Sardoal FC mascot escapes and the club is at risk of losing the championship..
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Deserted (2010)
In a desperate attempt to survive, two deserters and a green beret try to reunite with their forces after the enemy unleashes its secret weapon.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Ñeñeñe (2014)
Mario has prepared something for Cristina, but she doesn't seem very interested in knowing what it is.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Tarkovsky (2010)
A man enters a video rental store where some arcane beings as Goran Paskaljevich, Michael Cacoyannis, Ferzan Ozpetek or Andrei Tarkovsky stalk him from the shelves, while the shop manager is reading a book by James Joyce; but he just wants to rent a blockbuster.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Sandbar (2012)
In this freewheeling dark comedy, a haunted Marine spends one crazy day with his estranged son.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Mistletoe Time Machine (2022)
Three friends become estranged following a disastrous holiday talent show performance and, a decade later, are sent back in time to relive their senior year of high school thanks to Santa’s magic spell.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Serial Cheater (2023)
Jada is tasked with reforming the "serial cheater" Jason back to monogamous ways, but things get complicated once feelings get involved.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like What the Elf?!?
The closest matches to What the Elf?! are Santa's Workshop (1932), Once Upon a Snowman (2020) and Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after What the Elf?!?
Start with Santa's Workshop (1932), the closest match to What the Elf?!.
What is the highest-rated movie like What the Elf?!?
Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008), rated 7.3/10 by 241 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like What the Elf?!?
Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like What the Elf?!?
Yes: Santa's Workshop (1932), Once Upon a Snowman (2020) and Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011).
How are movies similar to What the Elf?! chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside What the Elf?!, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.