Disney has once again melted hearts with their latest Christmas advert, titled The Boy and The Octopus.
This poignant tale traces a young lad’s adventure when an octopus surprisingly latches onto his head during a coastal holiday. Initially panicked and humiliated, the boy soon bonds with the eight-legged creature after introducing it to life ashore.
He not only brings the friendly octopus along to revel in the holiday spirit but also hatches a plan to fulfil its dream of exploring the world’s wonders. This heartfelt story celebrates both the charm of the holiday season and the simple, yet profound joys of childhood friendship.
Keen-eyed Disney aficionados will appreciate the subtle nods to classics like Moana, Lilo & Stitch, and Toy Story hidden within the film.
The astonishing four-minute clip is set to tug at the heartstrings of audiences as they witness the touching bond between the boy and the octopus develop, reports the Mirror.
This touching narrative was brought to life by none other than filmmaker Taika Waititi, who commented on the project saying: “The story manages to connect the feelings that you get around the holidays, and the joy, the goodwill and everything, with those same emotions and those same sensibilities you get from Disney films.
“I think they go hand in hand and it’s the perfect match and only Disney could have made something like this…with me.”
In conjunction with their campaign this year, Disney continues its long-standing support of Make-A-Wish International. For the past 44 years, Disney has collaborated with Make-A-Wish to spread joy to children and families in difficult times, fulfilling over 155,000 wishes worldwide.
Asad Ayaz, Chief Brand Officer at The Walt Disney Company, shared his thoughts on the festive advert: “For generations, Disney has been an ever-present part of the holiday season all over the world, and this short builds on the enduring connection that so many families have with Disney during this special time of year.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Taika Waititi on this timeless story of childhood friendship against the backdrop of this magical season.”