Dunkin’ has recruited Mindy Kaling as the latest star in its ever-growing roster of celebrity collaborators — and this time, she’s narrating the origin story of one of the chain’s tiniest icons. The campaign follows the brand’s rollout of limited-edition holiday Munchkins boxes and winter-themed cup designs featuring the mini treats as bundled-up characters.
Kaling narrates The Little Holiday Munchkin, a 60-second animated short inspired by classic Christmas Claymation and a dash of Dr. Seuss. The spot imagines a whimsical backstory for Dunkin’s beloved Munchkins: once-forgotten scraps of dough abandoned after doughnut holes were punched out, rescued only when a curious kid decides they deserve their own spotlight.
The story isn’t just online; it’s also been turned into a physical storybook. Dunkin’ will donate $2 from every book sold (up to $550,000) to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, which supports programs for kids facing hunger or illness. The foundation has already granted more than $65 million to charities nationwide. Watch below:
Kaling, who has long spoken about how she didn’t fit traditional Hollywood molds early in her career, said the project resonated with her on a personal level. “Dunkin’ Munchkins are a favorite in my house, so this was kind of a no-brainer for me,” she said. “What I love about this story is how it celebrates the overlooked things that end up being the most special. I’m a sucker for an underdog — and for the holidays — so this book is definitely earning a spot in our bedtime story rotation.”
Dunkin’ CMO Jill Nelson said the brand wanted to embrace the joy of the season through one of its smallest stars. “The holidays at Dunkin’ are all about creating moments of joy,” Nelson said. “‘The Little Holiday Munchkin’ is a reminder that joy can come from the smallest things — whether it’s a doughnut-hole treat, a moment of kindness, or a story shared together.”
Dunkin’ is no stranger to celebrity-fronted campaigns; many of its recent ads have come from Artists Equity, the production company launched by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who’ve appeared in several Dunkin’ spots themselves. Kaling is the latest to join the tradition, giving Munchkins their most heartwarming spotlight yet.
REELated:
Cotton tees from Lisa Says Gah! deliver ultimate holiday clapbacks
