Bold claim: a family moment turns a classic film scene into fresh, shareable content that invites both smiles and debate about celebrity parenting and public nostalgia.
Will Ferrell’s sons have breathed new life into a cherished moment from one of his most beloved movies by reenacting the famous shower-singing scene from Elf. Magnus Ferrell—Will Ferrell’s eldest—posted a video last week showing his brother, Mattias Ferrell, joining in as they mimic their dad and Zooey Deschanel in the 2003 comedy. The original moment features Deschanel’s character belting out the festive tune “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” while Buddy, Ferrell’s elf-like character, waits outside the shower and gradually joins in, performing a duet.
In the brothers’ version, Magnus appears shirtless in the shower singing along as the scene audio plays. Mattias reprises his father’s vibe by listening from a bathroom spot and chiming in from the toilet. A wide shot captures both brothers—one under the spray, the other seated nearby—singing together, echoing the beloved film moment. As in the movie, the showering sibling’s peak note prompts a surprised peek from the other, creating a playful symmetry with the original scene.
Magnus captioned the clip with a holiday-tinged nod: “tis the season am I right? @MattiasFerrell #ELF #BabyItsColdOutside #ChristmasMusic.”
The Elf scene itself remains a fan favorite. In the film, Buddy’s duet with Deschanel’s character plays into the evolving romance and comic mischief of the story. The movie debuted in 2003 to broad praise and has earned roughly $230 million worldwide when Box Office Mojo’s figures are tallied in today’s terms, underscoring Elf’s enduring popularity.
Will Ferrell shares three children with his wife, Viveca Paulin: Magnus, Mattias Paulin Ferrell, and Axel. All three have shown support at his film premieres over the years, illustrating a family that enjoys bonding through humor and shared experiences.
This isn’t Magnus’s first social media nod to his father. Last year, he posted a playful prom-night anecdote that juxtaposed onscreen antics with a behind-the-scenes moment: a medieval-themed prom photo where Ferrell’s antics and outfits added a memorable splash of embarrassment, all framed by a lighthearted caption about his dad’s antics.
As this trend continues, conversations around celebrity families typically spark questions about privacy, boundaries, and the balance between parental fame and child privacy. Do you think recreations like these strengthen family bonds and fan engagement, or do they blur the line between private life and public persona? Share your thoughts below.
