Many years ago, a very good friend of mine told me she watches Elf every year with her family on Christmas Eve. No matter how many times she sees it, she says, she'll never be over it. It's just too good.

I thought she was being dramatic. I'd seen it, of course, and didn't rate it that highly. On the scale of 'MUST-SEE CHRISTMAS MOVIES' I used to put Elf at a three out of 10.

But then I watched it again a few years later. And then again. And now I watch it a couple of times a year and—GASP!—not just at Christmas.

It is, quite simply, a work of art. And one of the best films ever made.

If you haven't seen the 2003 movie (shame on you) let me give you the rundown. Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, who climbed into Santa's sack as a baby and spent his life at the North Pole thinking he was an elf. When he's an adult, he finds out he's really a human and goes off in search of his real dad, who lives in New York City.

You can watch the trailer below. Post continues after video. 

 

And from there, it's two hours of magic. Hilarious, hilarious magic.

I now spend every December quoting the film and organizing movie nights with non-Elf-loving friends to convert them to my religion. (Still waiting for you all to RSVP, guys.)

This is why I love it. And why you should too, if you don't already.

1. It is the most quotable movie ever made. 

2. It's set and filmed in the best city in the world.

3. It introduced us to Zooey Deschanel.

4. It gave us the perfect line for any awkward situation.

5. And is full of excellent diet suggestions.

Do yourself a favor and watch it, whether it's for the first time, or again (and again, and again…)