@classics.journey: The holiday classic Elf may look like a magical Christmas adventure, but behind the scenes, its filming location was far stranger than fans might imagine. Actor Andy Richter, who played children's book writer Morris in the 2003 movie, has revealed that much of the film was shot inside an old psychiatric hospital that was still partially operating. During an interview with Us Weekly, Richter explained that several empty wings of Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, British Columbia, were used as filming locations. The facility became the setting for several familiar scenes, including the offices, the Hobbs family home, and the mailroom. But there was one detail that made the experience even more unusual. Richter revealed that some patients were still staying in another wing of the hospital while filming was taking place. He said he tried to avoid wandering around the building between takes, choosing instead to move between the set, his trailer, and the hotel. However, Will Ferrell apparently took a very different approach. According to Richter, Ferrell spent weeks walking around the facility dressed in his full elf costume. Patients could reportedly see the actor through the windows, possibly recognizing the famous star. The unusual filming location was reportedly chosen because studio space was limited while another major vampire movie was being filmed nearby. So, while audiences remember Elf for its Christmas magic, its production had a surprisingly unusual setting. Did you know one of your favorite Christmas movies was filmed inside a functioning psychiatric hospital? \#ElfMovie #WillFerrell #AndyRichter #BehindTheScenes #hollywood

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Wednesday 04 November 2026 16:29:00 GMT