Disney’s Christmas ad depicts connection between boy and octopus

adam&eveDDB London and New York offices, have announced the launch of a campaign dubbed ‘The Boy and The Octopus’ with its new client The Walt Disney Company.

The agency helped Disney craft an original short piece of surprise holiday content, the pinnacle of Christmas magic and storytelling.

The short follows the journey of a child who discovers that a curious octopus has attached to his head during a seaside vacation. After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the sea creature by introducing his new companion to his life on land — harnessing the power of the Force with his Jedi lightsaber, playing with his Buzz Lightyear action figure, and imagining Santa Claus’ route around the world with the map on his wall — before taking the lovable octopus out into the world to experience the joy of the holidays, hidden under his Mickey Mouse beanie.

Tim Pennoyer, Director of Brand Marketing: Walt Disney: “We explored several amazing concepts for this year, but A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus had a special kind of magic that stayed with us. It beautifully encapsulates the joy of discovering friendship and warmth in surprising places, which felt so right for a Disney holiday story. A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus builds on Disney’s tradition of stories that evoke feelings of joy, a belief that anything is possible, and the sense of magic that you feel in your heart and the world around you.”

The themes of the song — Ariel longing to see the world above the water — mirrored the octopus’s own desire to explore the world beyond the sea. It perfectly encapsulates the octopus’s journey, which becomes the heart of the story as he and the boy come together to devise a plan for the octopus to see the world.

The song’s message of curiosity and adventure tied beautifully into the emotional core of our film, while also honoring Disney’s tradition of timeless, meaningful music.

Tim: “We wanted to create something that resonates globally, and with a visionary like Taika Waititi, we were able to do that on a larger scale than previous years. This campaign expands our reach and impact, combining beloved holiday themes with Taika’s unique, magical style. While it’s a fresh approach, it still shares the same warmth, joy, and magic that audiences have come to expect from Disney during the holidays.”