Disney has unveiled a brand-new original short film, “Best Christmas Ever,” directed by Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi, available now on Disney+ and online platforms. As the centerpiece of Disney’s Make Someone’s Holiday Magic campaign, this heartwarming story invites audiences to witness the kind of wonder and emotional resonance that have become trademarks of Waititi’s work, blending both imagination and celebration for the holiday season.
In “Best Christmas Ever,” viewers follow the journey of a young girl whose hand-drawn doodle magically springs to life on Christmas Day after Santa Claus confuses her drawing with a festive wish. Voiced by John Goodman, the beloved character Doodle forms the heart of this adventure, exploring friendship and holiday spirit in a truly Disney fashion. The short culminates with a powerful message, encouraging everyone to “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic,” tying directly into Disney’s ongoing campaign for the season.
Creative Forces Behind the Story
Collaborative excellence was essential to realizing the vision for “Best Christmas Ever.” Taika Waititi, celebrated for his directing credits spanning from Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” to the Oscar®-winning “Jojo Rabbit,” teamed up with the production company Hungry Man for this holiday project. The short’s animation was guided by the legendary Eric Goldberg of Walt Disney Animation Studios, who brought expertise as the animator behind the Genie in “Aladdin” (1992). Goldberg joined the effort as an advisor, working closely with Untold Studios, Hungry Man, and the creative agency adam&eveDDB to capture the story’s warmth and whimsy through detailed animation.
Waititi’s ties with Disney grew from his previous success with another acclaimed project,
“A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus,”
which earned an Emmy® nomination last year. In both shorts, Waititi’s signature storytelling and emotional precision come to life through playful visuals and heartfelt narratives, engaging audiences of all ages. The team behind the campaign includes key creative figures: Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland as chief creative officers for adam&eveDDB, creative directors Richard Gayton and Darren Beresford, copywriter Sali Horsey, and art director Zoe Nash. Producer Sally Pritchett and her assistant, Holly Wormleighton, coordinated production, while Will Grundy helped drive the project’s creative strategy.
Storytelling That Captures Disney’s Unique Voice
At the core of “Best Christmas Ever” is a tale celebrating the magic of friendship and imagination, well-aligned with Disney’s enduring legacy. The friendship between the girl and her doodle, suddenly animated and full of character, brings to life the endless possibilities within a child’s dreamscape. This story is told in a manner that leverages both humor and emotion, with the spirited performance of John Goodman as Doodle offering a standout element.
“What makes this story uniquely Disney is the fact that it’s set in the world of a kid. It’s a kid and her new best friend, navigating the complex world together, and doing it just with the power of friendship and imagination,”
— Taika Waititi, Director
The creative advisors and animators worked hand-in-hand to ensure the doodle’s movements and personality felt both fantastical and authentic. Eric Goldberg’s involvement helped refine the animation’s expressiveness, complementing the vibrant designs contributed by Untold Studios. Production designer Olly Williams and director of photography Ben Seresin added their expertise to shape the visual identity, while Matt Buels and Hannah Stone managed key production roles within Hungry Man.
Casting and Production Excellence
“Best Christmas Ever” showcases the collaborative accomplishments of an extensive production team. Key crew roles included Marian Mikhail as production manager, Ben Glickman as first assistant director, Monique Bezulderhout in makeup and hair, and Cathy Kukard handling wardrobe. Casting director Marareta Abena ensured the cast’s dynamic interactions, while Ruth Pickett contributed as second unit director.
Production services were provided by Gateway in Cape Town, with Beverly Wynne serving as executive producer, Laila Shrand-Hodgson as producer, and Kelly Drummond as the on-site production manager. The visual effects, a hallmark of Disney holiday productions, were crafted by Untold Studios—executive director Ian Berry and executive producer Melody Alexander coordinated efforts, with Helen Tang and Natalie London supporting the project’s creative and production direction. Creative leads Adam Droy and Tim Van Hussen, alongside VFX supervisor Christian Baker and CG supervisor Hudson Martins, shaped the short’s imaginative visuals. Character development was guided by Therese Vildefall and character lead Cyriel Verkuijlen, with core animation work by artists such as Avinash Savant, Jinhul Wang, Philippe Moine, Sam Driscoll, Murali Krishna, Bhaveesh PV, and Snram Namana.
The extensive list of VFX contributors further included Alberto Lara, Alex de la Sotilla, Alex Miller, Antoine Mariez, Bhavesh Budhkar, Bnag Mallat, Corentin Maudhult, Dhanesh Sudhakaran, Gianluca Di Marco, Henry Affonso, Jadheer TM, Kalaiarasu P, Lindsey Lo Presti, Luke Sarpus, Mack Knights, Mary Doyle, Melissa Yung-Hok, Nathan McKenna, Palia Netaji, Pim Meijer, Salman Attar, Silvia Bartoli, V Siva Sarweswar, and Victor Almela. The online edit was handled by James Pratt and Pete Hughes.
Music, Color, and Editorial Contributions
The musical charm of this holiday short comes from the legendary Randy Newman, who composed the score, with arrangements and production by Luke Fabia. Dave Foster carried out orchestration, supported by Luis Almau, head of music at Soundtree Music, and Jay James, who oversaw music development as executive producer and managing director. Each musical note underscores the emotional nuances of the story, giving viewers a sentimental journey that mirrors the on-screen action.
The visual narrative was finely tuned by Final Cut, where editor Joe Guest, assistant editor Hannah Burger, and offline edit producer Michelle Comey coordinated to polish the short for release. To further enhance the film’s atmosphere, Jean-Clement Soret provided expert color grading at Company 3, supported by color producer Edwin Elkington, ensuring the imagery matched the story’s expressive emotional range.
Disney’s Commitment to Holiday Storytelling
This year’s “Best Christmas Ever” continues a tradition of impactful holiday storytelling by Disney, highlighting the importance of kindness, imagination, and togetherness. The short also stands as an example of Disney’s collaboration with renowned talents across the industry, leveraging animators, visual effects specialists, and a robust creative team to bring stories to life with a high level of detail and vibrancy.
Taika Waititi and his team, which included many leading figures—such as chief creative officers Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland, creative director Richard Gayton, and production manager Marian Mikhail—have delivered a piece resonant with emotional depth while applying state-of-the-art technical artistry. This aligns with Disney’s goal to make each holiday memorable for families and viewers around the world.
Expanding the Holiday Campaign’s Reach
The “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic” campaign, driven by this latest short, stands as an invitation for audiences to reflect on the true meaning of the season and spread joy. By placing friendship and generosity at its core, the campaign encourages acts of kindness and embodies the kind of stories Disney has championed for decades. The involvement of John Goodman as Doodle, alongside a creative team featuring Holly Wormleighton, Will Grundy, Sali Horsey, and Zoe Nash, further demonstrates Disney’s dedication to artistic collaboration and heartfelt narratives.
Influence on Audiences and the Broader Holiday Spirit
With its combination of innovative animation, stellar voice acting, and emotionally charged music, “Best Christmas Ever” is designed to capture viewers’ hearts. For long-time Disney fans, as well as for those introduced to Waititi’s vision through Marvel Studios or “Jojo Rabbit,” the short reiterates a deep appreciation for imagination and creative storytelling. The film also marks a notable collaboration between Walt Disney Company, adam&eveDDB, Hungry Man, and Untold Studios, with a long list of contributors such as VFX artists Salman Attar, Pim Meijer, and Silvia Bartoli, who have each played vital roles in bringing the project to fruition.
Through campaigns like this, Disney reaffirms its role in setting high standards for entertainment production and emotional resonance in media during the holiday period. As families and audiences gather to watch, they are left with a message of hope, reinforcing the core values Disney seeks to inspire through its seasonal programming.
Looking Forward: The Promise of More Holiday Magic
The arrival of “Best Christmas Ever” signals the start of an emotionally rich and visually stunning holiday tradition for Disney and its viewers. As creative director Darren Beresford, managing partner Matt Buels, and other talented professionals continue to shape future releases, the excitement around Disney’s holiday campaigns only grows. The presence of Eric Goldberg as advisor, along with the continued collaboration between production designer Olly Williams, VFX supervisor Christian Baker, and colorist Jean-Clement Soret, hints at ongoing efforts to blend nostalgia with innovation.
As December unfolds, anticipation builds not only for the messages embedded in Disney’s latest works but also for the unique impact each new campaign has on global audiences. “Best Christmas Ever” not only brightens the season but also serves as a touchstone for what happens when imagination, friendship, and seasoned craftsmanship come together, inviting everyone to share in the holiday magic Taika Waititi and his team have brought to life.
