Fans are just realising Ralphie from A Christmas Story is also in Elf

With only four days to go now until the big day, if you have not watched a Christmas film, you are doing things seriously wrong.

But for those that have got the popcorn out in recent days, two of the films you may have watched are 2003's Elf and 1983's A Christmas Story - both of which are classic festive films.

And for those that have watched both in recent weeks, you may have spotted that a certain elf in the Will Ferrell movie Elf looks a lot like Ralphie from A Christmas Story.

In fact, you are not wrong, as actor Peter Billingsley plays a role in both Christmas films.

But surprisingly, despite being two of the most popular festive films of all time, many fans are only just realising now that A Christmas Story's main character is actually in Elf, too.

In A Christmas Story, Billingsley plays youngster Ralphie Parker, who is tormented by school bully Scut Farkus (played by Zack Ward).

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But Ralphie dreams of the 'Red Ryder air rifle' for Christmas, but with him frequently at odds with his dad, Ralphie finds it a struggle to make it to Christmas day with his hopes still intact.

Many years later, Billingsley returned to the Christmas film scene with role as head elf Ming Ming in Will Ferrell's Elf.

While he did not play as large a role in the newer Christmas classic, Billingsley was seen in the north pole scenes.

Many fans have took to Twitter to discuss how shocked they were to discover the two Christmas characters were played by the same actor.

One person said: "I was today-years-old when I realised that Peter Billingsley (a.k.a. Ralphie from A Christmas Story) was in Elf!"

A second added: "Today I learned this cameo in Elf is Ralphie from A Christmas Story. Did y'all know this and not tell me?"

And a third said: "Ralphie from A Christmas Story is the head elf in the movie Elf. You're welcome."

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Meanwhile, another jokingly added: "Tonight at 9:30 pm my life changed forever.

"I just found out this dude from Elf was also Ralphie from A Christmas Story..."

These days, Billingsley is more on the producing side of film rather than acting.

After Elf, he ventured into Christmas films once more as a producer on Four Christmases, and was also a producer on 2008's Iron Man.

He has also directed a few films, including Couples Retreat and TV series Sullivan & Son.