The Top 10 Christmas Adverts of All time

In a world that’s become brighter, busier, and increasingly digital, our love for Christmas traditions has remained a comforting constant. Every year, as the festive season returns, Christmas adverts step back into the spotlight. These ads have evolved into more than clever campaigns; they’ve become emotional touchpoints that bring families together, spark memories, and signal the true start of the holidays.

From heartwarming stories of unlikely friendships to cinematic tales that tug on our heartstrings, here are the Top 10 Christmas adverts that have shaped how we experience this cold season.

THE TOP 10 CHRISTMAS ADVERTS KEEPING THE HOLIDAY MAGIC ALIVE

Coca-Cola’s Christmas Trucks – Holidays are Coming (1995, 2025)

@cocacola

We are excited to share this year’s Coca-Cola Christmas spot with you! #CocaColaChristmas #CocaCola #CocaColaEurope #Christmas

♬ original sound – Coca-Cola

Beginning with Coca-Cola’s iconic Christmas truck advert feels fitting, as the 1995 debut is often credited with starting the modern Christmas advert craze. The glowing red trucks, sparkling lights, and unforgettable “Holidays Are Coming” jingle created a sense of magic and anticipation that quickly became synonymous with the start of the festive season. Its cultural influence helped shape the emotional, cinematic style that would define Christmas advertising for decades to come. 

The 2025 revival continued the tradition, updating the iconic Coca-Cola trucks with a fresh, modern look while keeping their nostalgic magic intact. Recently posted, the new Christmas truck video has already passed 1 million views, reaffirming its status as a beloved festive staple.

John Lewis’ Man on the Moon

The next amazing Christmas advert was set in a quiet corner of the cosmos. The John Lewis “Man on the Moon” advert touched hearts across the UK and beyond in 2015, earning 1.6 million YouTube views. It follows a little girl who discovers a lonely man on the moon and sends him a Christmas gift, reminding viewers of the power of kindness and connection. Paired with Aurora’s haunting cover of Half the World Away, the advert blends emotion, imagination, and festive spirit into a timeless tale of giving.

Beyond the screen, the campaign partnered with Age UK to raise awareness of loneliness among older people, encouraging real-world acts of generosity through donations and community initiatives.

Boots’ Make Magic (2024)

@you_magazine

Joining the list of #Christmas adverts we love this year is this latest one from @Boots UK, starring #Bridgerton star #AdjoaAndoh Doesn’t she look fabulous as Mrs Claus?! #Bridgerton #LadyDanbury

♬ original sound – YOU Magazine

Now, to bring things into this decade, Boots’ “Make Magic” Christmas advert captured attention with a modern, playful twist on festive tradition. Featuring Adjoa Andoh as Mrs Claus leading a team of beauty elves, the advert combined vibrant visuals, upbeat music, and a message of inclusivity and empowerment that resonated. Shared widely across social media, it quickly became a talking point, while also sparking criticism from those who felt it strayed from traditional Christmas themes.

Despite the controversy, the campaign’s bold approach amplified Boots’ reach, demonstrating how contemporary festive advertising can spark conversation and celebrate diversity.

Waitrose’s Sweet Suspicion (2024) 

@waitrose

The mystery continues… but did we catch the culprit?🕵️ Keep your eyes peeled for the official reveal… 26/11/24 👀 #WaitroseMystery #ChristmasAtWaitrose #WaitroseChristmasAd

♬ original sound – Waitrose & Partners – Waitrose & Partners

Waitrose’s “Sweet Suspicion” Christmas advert charmed audiences by turning festive advertising into a playful, immersive mystery. When a Red Velvet Bauble Dessert goes missing, Matthew Macfadyen leads the investigation among a quirky cast of suspects, with each instalment of the multi-part campaign revealing new clues and inviting viewers to speculate online, engage on social media, and spot hints in store. 

Its mix of suspense, humour, and festive charm turned the series into a nationwide event, sparking online conversations and debate, delivering a memorable Christmas experience.

Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot

@aldiuk

Britain’s two favourite carrots have finally become a pear! 💍 Watch the wedding of the decade in our new Christmas ad over on YouTube

♬ original sound – Aldi UK – Aldi UK

While this isn’t a single ad, Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot Christmas campaigns have become a festive favourite, delighting audiences with humour, charm, and heartwarming storytelling. Since his 2017 debut, Kevin’s adventures have captivated viewers, and his yearly return creates a sense of familiarity and anticipation, much like the festive traditions that make Christmas special.

Shared widely across social media and television, the campaigns combine playful animation, catchy music, and a cheeky sense of humour, turning each instalment into a highly anticipated festive event that families talk about, share, and look forward to year after year.

M&S with Paddington’s Mistaken Identity 

Among the most memorable festive moments of the late 2010s, the M&S Christmas advert featuring Paddington Bear became a social-media favourite, thanks to its warm, storybook charm and instantly shareable moments. The film follows Paddington as he accidentally foils a Christmas Eve burglary, helping the would-be thief return the stolen gifts and gently rediscover the true spirit of the season. 

Paddington’s iconic, universally loved character was central to the advert’s success. His recognisable innocence and warmth made the story instantly shareable, sparking widespread clips, reactions, and fan posts across social media, with the film getting over 7M YouTube views.

Amazon’s Joy Ride

The next standout Christmas advert unfolded on a snowy hillside. Amazon’s “Joy Ride” captured hearts in 2023 with its moving story of three lifelong friends who rediscover the thrill of their youth by returning to a favourite sledging spot. Set against a tender orchestral cover of “In My Life,” the advert blends nostalgia, warmth, and quiet humour as the women embrace a moment of pure, unexpected joy.

Shared widely across social media, the film was praised for its emotional simplicity and its reminder that joy and connection have no age limit, making it a standout festive favourite.

Barbour with Wallace and Gromit

@barbour

A new BarbourChristmas film with national treasures Wallace & Gromit? That’s just grand.

♬ original sound – Barbour – Barbour

Bringing cosy nostalgia to this year’s festive line-up, the 2025 Barbour Christmas advert wraps the season in the warmth of Wallace & Gromit. Filled with handcrafted charm, it follows the iconic duo preparing for Christmas in their humorous style. Recently posted, it has already reached over 500K YouTube views and sparked widespread shares, comments, and reactions across social media, showing how strongly audiences still cherish these beloved characters.

Beyond the film, Barbour extended the festive magic with a special competition offering fans the chance to win a classic wax jacket lined with Wallace & Gromit artwork, adding a delightful, collectable twist.

Sainsbury’s 1914

Inspired by one of history’s most extraordinary moments of compassion, Sainsbury’s 1914 Christmas advert showcases the Christmas wartime ceasefire, highlighting this timeless tale of empathy and hope. The film follows British and German soldiers as they emerge from their trenches on Christmas Day, exchanging greetings, sharing small gifts, and even playing an impromptu game of football; a fleeting moment of humanity amid the horrors of war.

With more than 26 million YouTube views and widespread acclaim, the advert remains one of the most moving and memorable Christmas campaigns of the past decade.

John Lewis’s Monty the Penguin

@very.online

favorite holiday ads part one: John Lewis Penguin ad featuring Tom Odell clip 2 of 2 #fyp #targetaudience

♬ original sound – Very Online

Rounding off our Top 10 with John Lewis (again), their “Monty the Penguin” Christmas advert became a defining seasonal moment through the blending of innocence, hope, and festive CGI magic. The story of a young boy giving his lonely penguin, Monty, a companion delivered a heartfelt message about friendship and love. Shared widely under #MontyThePenguin, the campaign quickly spread across YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, trending at number 1 in the UK and generating thousands of emotional reactions, shares, and fan creations. 

Its charm, gentle soundtrack, and universal story of belonging resonated across generations, cementing Monty as a seasonal icon and turning the campaign into a shared festive moment.

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