
Disney kicked off the holiday season early with A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever, a heartwarming original directed by Academy Award winner Taika Waititi. Streaming on Disney+ and online, the short anchors Disney’s Make Someone’s Holiday Magic campaign, also launching today, and features the voice of Disney Legend John Goodman as the lovable character Doodle.
The story centers on a young girl whose doodle springs to life on Christmas Day after Santa mistakes her drawing for a holiday wish. What follows is a tender and playful tale of friendship between the girl and the animated creation of her imagination, unfolding through a lens that feels unmistakably Disney. The short concludes with a simple call to action for viewers to Make Someone’s Holiday Magic, reinforcing the theme at the heart of Disney’s holiday messaging this year. Watch below:
The film brings together an impressive creative team, including legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Eric Goldberg, creator of iconic characters such as Genie from Aladdin, who served as an animation advisor. The short was produced in collaboration with Untold Studios and hungryman, with creative support from agency adam&eveDDB.
The project follows last year’s Emmy-nominated A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus, also directed by Waititi, continuing his growing relationship with Disney alongside his work on Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Jojo Rabbit.
“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,” said Waititi.
Goodman, who voices Doodle, brings with him a long Disney legacy, having previously voiced characters including Sulley in Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University, Pacha in The Emperor’s New Groove, and Big Daddy La Bouff in The Princess and the Frog.
“I’ve always loved being part of Disney stories because there’s a timelessness to Disney’s storytelling—it’s fun, it’s heartfelt, and it reminds families of what really matters,” Goodman said. “This wonderful short captures that same spirit perfectly.” Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the production:
To celebrate the release, Disney extended the magic into the real world. On November 12, fans in Times Square were invited to submit their own doodles via QR code and watch as their artwork comes to life on a massive billboard, marking a first-of-its-kind interactive holiday experience in New York City.
From original seasonal stories to acts of giving, Disney continues to position itself at the center of family holiday traditions.
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