Netflix’s 5-Year Old Will Ferrell Movie Is Secretly As Good As Elf And Anchorman

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Will Ferrell usually has a great December. Every year during the holidays, the movie Elf becomes popular again, solidifying its place as a Christmas classic that almost everyone loves. More than two decades later, his role as Buddy the Elf is still one of his most popular, alongside films like Anchorman and Step Brothers.

Beyond his biggest successes, Will Ferrell has starred in several movies that have gained a dedicated fanbase, like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Blades of Glory, and Megamind. While these aren’t always considered his best films, they’ve clearly resonated with many viewers. But there’s one Will Ferrell movie that’s just as good as his popular hits Elf and Anchorman, yet it’s been largely overlooked since its release on Netflix five years ago.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga Is The Hidden Gem Of Will Ferrell’s Career

Released in June 2020, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a funny and affectionate take on the hugely popular European music competition. Will Ferrell stars as Lars Erickssong, one half of the band Fire Saga, alongside Rachel McAdams as Sigrid. The movie follows their over-the-top and comical attempt to represent Iceland at Eurovision, filled with plenty of laughs, catchy songs, and appearances by famous faces.

Despite being a strange mix of music, comedy, and Will Ferrell’s signature silliness, The Story of Fire Saga is surprisingly enjoyable. Ferrell, who also helped write the movie, clearly had a lot of fun playing the over-the-top character Lars Erickssong, and the rest of the cast – including Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, and Demi Lovato – share his energy and enthusiasm.

The humor in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga works so well because everyone involved seems to be in on the fun, and there’s a genuine lack of negativity. The movie perfectly captures the energy and collaborative spirit of Eurovision itself, and it’s a really funny and sweet story that fans of Will Ferrell will especially enjoy.

Why Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga Wasn’t A Bigger Hit

Several things hurt the chances of The Story of Fire Saga, and its 2020 release date was a major issue. The movie was planned to come out alongside the actual Eurovision Song Contest, which was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. This meant the film lost its natural connection to the event and made it seem out of place as a new Netflix release.

The biggest problem with The Story of Fire Saga is that it really helps to already be a fan of Eurovision to truly enjoy it. For viewers in the U.S. who aren’t familiar with the contest – and might not understand why Europe (and Australia) celebrates often-campy songs each year – the movie will likely be just as confusing as Eurovision itself.

Like Talladega Nights was designed for NASCAR fans, The Story of Fire Saga was clearly made for people who love Eurovision. However, if you’re not familiar with Eurovision, you might find the movie strange and confusing, especially considering when it was released during the pandemic.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga Has Aged Well Over The Past 5 Years

Although The Story of Fire Saga received a mixed reception when it was released in 2020, it’s become surprisingly popular over the last five years. This is mainly because the Eurovision community has really embraced the film, creating a fun connection between the movie and the real-life competition. Similar to how people rewatch Elf every Christmas, The Story of Fire Saga has become a yearly tradition for Eurovision fans.

Over time, the length of The Story of Fire Saga hasn’t been as much of an issue. At over two hours long, the movie felt quite epic, and that length may have turned off viewers who weren’t familiar with Eurovision. Revisiting the film now allows you to appreciate smaller details and nuances that might have been missed the first time around.

Let’s be clear: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga probably won’t appeal to those who don’t already love Eurovision. However, now that we’ve had five years with Fire Saga, it’s time to recognize just how great Iceland’s favorite fake band actually is.

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2025-12-24 19:36