Taika Waititi's Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever Explained (2025)

Dive into the heartwarming magic of the holiday season, where a filmmaker known for blending humor and heart takes the reins on Disney's latest festive gem—but here's where it gets intriguing: Taika Waititi isn't just lending his talent; he's redefining what a Disney holiday short can be in our fast-paced, screen-saturated world.

Taika Waititi has built a storied partnership with Disney and its vast array of studios over the years. For instance, he's helmed not one, but two blockbuster Thor films under the Marvel umbrella, showcasing his knack for infusing epic tales with witty, relatable energy. His creative prowess also earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay with Searchlight Pictures' Jojo Rabbit, a film that masterfully tackles heavy themes like prejudice through the innocent eyes of a child. Beyond directing, Waititi has lent his voice to a droid in the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian, and he's even stepped into directing roles for the Star Wars franchise on the same platform. Now, this multi-talented visionary adds yet another feather to his cap by helming the company's annual holiday short, proving once again why he's a go-to for storytelling that resonates across generations.

This year's short, titled Best Christmas Ever, premiered just this week and has already captivated audiences, racking up nearly 14 million views on YouTube as of now. At its core, the story follows a spirited young girl whose simple doodle springs to life when Santa Claus mistakenly interprets it as her heartfelt Christmas wish. It's a delightful tale of imagination and wonder, brought to even more vibrant life by the voice of John Goodman—a Disney veteran whose iconic performances have charmed us in classics like Monsters, Inc. and The Princess and the Frog—lending his warm, familiar tones to the animated doodle character.

Waititi himself captures the essence of what makes this narrative so quintessentially Disney in his own words: '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.' For beginners dipping into Disney's rich tradition of holiday shorts, think of it as a gentle reminder that sometimes the most powerful magic comes from within—through creativity and bonds that don't require elaborate setups. It's storytelling at its simplest yet most profound, encouraging kids and adults alike to see the world through a lens of possibility.

And this is the part most people miss: Waititi isn't resting on his laurels. His upcoming projects include a Sony 3000 adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's acclaimed novel Klara and the Sun, where a mechanical being grapples with love and humanity—another layer to his portfolio that blends sci-fi with deep emotional exploration.

To amplify the festive spirit, Disney invited fans from all over to submit their own doodles, which were spotlighted on Wednesday on the iconic Times Square Billboard. This interactive twist ties perfectly into the company's holiday theme for 2023: Make Someone’s Holiday Magic, turning passive viewers into active participants in the joy.

But here's where it gets controversial—does a holiday short like this still hold up in an era of endless streaming options and shorter attention spans? Some might argue Waititi's quirky, boundary-pushing style (think Thor's irreverent humor) injects fresh life into Disney's wholesome brand, while others could see it as a dilution of traditional family values. Is it innovative evolution or a risky departure? I'd love to hear your take—do you think filmmakers with unique voices enhance Disney's holiday offerings, or should they stick to tried-and-true formulas? Share your thoughts in the comments below; let's spark a discussion!