Heathrow and Disney once again prove the power of animation at Christmas

Animation is once again proving a powerful Christmas medium, as illustrated by early ads from Heathrow and Disney.

Animation remains a favourite of the Christmas ad genre this year (it was everywhere last year!), and two adverts have stood out for their universal, family-friendly message.

Heathrow bears with a strong formula

Heathrow’s Christmas Advert 2025, ‘It Must Be Love’, captures the spirit of holiday travel, with added whimsy.

Heathrow Airport has returned to its beloved bear mascots, Doris and Edward, for a new chapter this Christmas. Created by St. Luke’s and directed by Ed Morris, the ad traces the cuddly couple as they weave through the festive crowds and rituals of the UK’s busiest airport.

The soundtrack, a gentle cover of ‘It Must Be Love’, plays as scenes showing families reuniting, teary-eyed goodbyes, and excitement for what lies ahead drift by.

The chaos of Heathrow is depicted with a certain majesty and magic as the narrative emphasises the airport as a space for hope and belonging, as well as, well, getting from point A to B.

Disney keeps it loveable

Disney’s Christmas short is also something of a heart-wrencher, much like its animated offering last year (‘The Boy & The Octopus’, my favourite of the season, incidentally). ‘Best Christmas Ever’, also created by adam&eveDDB and directed by Taika Waititi, tells the tale of a young girl's Christmas wish and the lovable illustrated companion, voiced by John Goodman, that her imagination conjures.

The work leans heavily into the values of family, joy, and seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. All very Disney, but as ever, it's more about how the studio handles the balance between whimsy and heartfelt emotion.

The film’s stunning animation, coupled with Goodman’s lighthearted performance, makes this a stand-out once again.

Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland, chief creative officers, adam&eveDDB London, said: “Working with Disney and Taika again has been a joy. The Holiday Short celebrates the magic of imagination and unexpected friendships. From the film to interactive doodle experiences, the campaign builds on Disney’s unique connection with families during the holiday season and beyond.”