After a long year, there’s a lot of pressure on this holiday season’s Christmas ads to stick the landing.

So now that they’re live, what does Rooster think of this year’s batch of Christmas ads?

Talking about the difficulties of the year that’s been is getting pretty old so let’s look forward to what’s in store for this Christmas as we rate the UK’s top brands’ Christmas ads. Some we love, some we don’t, and some we’re split down the middle on. Without further adieu, find the ads in contention — and our rankings — below with a final winner at the bottom.

Enjoy.

2020’s Christmas ads rundown:

Disney

Zac van Manen, Senior Social Manager:

Oh man this one hurt bad. After a long year away from all our families — especially so when they’re at the other end of the world — wrapping your Christmas campaign around old memories rooted in the love we still have for those who are no longer with us was a punch straight to the heart. Bonus points for the Filipino setting, points deducted for vigorous shoehorn of Mickey, but still my favourite so far.

9/10.

Natalie Garland, Senior Account Manager:

Pulled at the heartstrings as so many of us have missed seeing our families this year. A beautiful message of tradition and spending time on what really matters.

7/10.

Baillie Horwood, Account Manager:

Pure magic from start to finish. It gave that true heart-tingling feeling throughout and made perfect use of Disney’s most iconic & loved character. It makes me want to call my nan straight away – by the far the best ad I’ve seen this year.

10/10.

Hannah Carlisle, Senior Account Executive:

Pull out your hankies, Disney have gone for full nostalgia with this advert. It does a good job of capitalising on the fact that Disney is with us all our lives, transcending national borders, and will reopen again for us to come back to soon. The advert is also a touching story of the close relationship between Grandparent and Grandchild: something which I can definitely relate to and which hit me hard in the feelings. The animation is, of course, beautiful, making it as visually striking as it is heartfelt. Minus points because I actually sobbed.

7/10.

Jo Kendall, Account Director:

This is a weepy one. Love it.

6/10.

Yasmine Triana, Head of PR:

Beautiful animation (to be expected) and a sweet idea to reference how many decades Disney has been a part of people’s lives. Shoehorning micky mouse into the family photos I think is a little forced (too harsh?) but a clever glimpse of Frozen on the TV without making it the focus. Love the idea of traditional xmas activities at home. Made me want to try making lanterns. But not too impactful, unfortunately, for me. Doesn’t make me think any more or less about Disney.

6/10.

LEGO

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