Disney delivers most magical Christmas advert of the year to heal your inner child

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Disney has entered the Christmas advert race with a short film guaranteed to transport you back to your childhood. There certainly hasn’t been a shortage of moving festive ads this year, as Dog’s Trust evoked tears of joy by giving a rescue pup a forever home, and, in true John Lewis style, the retailer enlisted Dame Kristin Scott Thomas to show us Christmas isn’t just about gifts. Unveiling its own seasonal effort today, Disney reminded us that no one is too old for the magic of Christmas. Directed by Dougal Wilson – director of Paddington in Peru and several John Lewis ads, including The Long Wait – The Invisible Horse centres on Jack, who’s reached that age where he decides he’s outgrown Christmas. But when a mysterious force appears in his life, he suddenly realises that believing in Christmas is, actually, what makes you cool after all. The short begins with a blasé Jack shunning his parents and skipping the tree decorating, much to his younger sister’s disappointment. Jack decides he’s outgrown the Christmassy spirit (Picture: Disney) Not even Woody can spark joy in him (Picture: Disney) As he puts on his western-style hat and heads outside, he sulks past an old family photo taken at Disneyland and his sibling’s collection of dolls, which includes a Toy Story Woody and Princess Jasmine doll. ‘This town ain’t big enough for the two of us,’ says the pull-string cowboy as Jack looks forlornly into the distance. An invisible energy then begins making footprints in the snowy grass and blows off Jack’s headwear when he curiously tries reaching out. The force vanishes as quickly as it appeared, leaving a puzzled Jack to become the joke of his friendship group when they refuse to believe him. ‘I felt it! It was an invisible force,’ he insists, making his pals laugh. As the ad progresses, Jack tries to summon the entity, this time with a lasso in full Woody-esque attire… only for it to drag him across the ground and into a muddy puddle. The boy is intrigued by an invisible force (Picture: Disney) He curiously tries to summon it (Picture: Disney) …and is taken on a magical ride (Picture: Disney) Finally, as Jack scrolls idly on his phone while watching TV with his family, once again receiving a mocking message from a mate, he clocks what the spirit could have been. On television, he sees Elsa riding her mythical water spirit known as the Nokk in Frozen II. Following his epiphany, he attempts to call the mysterious creature back by standing ready with a saddle and extending an arm to stroke it. The boy and the horse proceed to gallop across a white landscape, through the mountains and past his school chums, giving them an almighty shock as they realise Jack was telling the truth all along. As Jack reapproaches his house, it materialises that the creature was not, in fact, a horse, but a reindeer, as snowflakes begin to form its shape. His stunned parents watch on as his little sister strokes the reindeer, only to notice more of the animals in the background, calling for it to return. The magic of Christmas is always there for those who choose to see it (Picture: Finally, saying goodbye, Jack nuzzles into its side while the creature tugs on Woody’s string once more for him to say, ‘You’re my favourite deputy.’ Its work now complete, having reminded Jack that the magic of Christmas is always there for those who choose to see it, the reindeer soars into the sky, leaving Jack to put on a Santa hat and reunite with his family, now in the mood to celebrate. The Christmas ad is a real heartwarmer, and it also has an underlying meaning connected to Disney’s latest campaign. ‘Disney has long been part of the traditions, memories, and moments that make the holiday season so special for families around the world,’ said Asad Ayaz, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, The Walt Disney Company. What's been your favourite Christmas ad of 2026 so far? John Lewis John LewisCheck Barbour (Wallace and Gromit)Check Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro's TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can't get enough of ‘This season, we’re bringing the best of Disney together to give families more ways to make the holidays magic: a trip they’ll talk about for years, a new favourite to watch together, the perfect gift under the tree and, for the children and families who need it most, a wish come true.’ Throughout the festive season, Disney will create holiday magic for children and loved ones who need it most by supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants life-changing wishes for youngsters with critical illnesses. Disney’s film aims to raise both awareness of and funds for the charity while also bringing an extra dash of Christmassy magic across the UK and Ireland through unforgettable surprises and experiences with its wish-granting programme at Disneyland Paris. 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