Disney's 2026 holiday short is here. A Disney Holiday Short: The Invisible Horse premiered Monday on Disney+ and online, launching the company's new global "Make the Holidays Magic" campaign, The Walt Disney Company announced.
Directed by Dougal Wilson, who made Paddington in Peru, the short follows Jack, a boy who thinks he has outgrown the magic of Christmas. When a mysterious invisible creature enters his life, he is pulled into an adventure that sparks his imagination and brings him closer to his family. The Hollywood Reporter says Woody from Toy Story and Elsa from Frozen make cameos, Fantasy Land News reported.
Taking the reins from Taika Waititi
Wilson, known in the U.K. for his John Lewis Christmas ads, takes over Disney's annual holiday short from Taika Waititi, who directed the last two: the Emmy-nominated The Boy & The Octopus in 2024 and Best Christmas Ever last year. The new short is also streaming on Disney's YouTube channel.
The film anchors a season-long campaign with Make-A-Wish, Blue Star Families, Toys for Tots and other nonprofits. Fans can donate to Make-A-Wish or give a toy to Toys for Tots through Disney Store at Disney.com/HolidayMagic.
The campaign also stretches across Disney's TV and streaming lineup. New holiday specials this season include Mickey's Home Alone, Dasher and the stop-motion A Proud Family Wizmas, while ABC will air holiday episodes of Abbott Elementary and Scrubs. The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular airs Nov. 30, and Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas runs Dec. 1 through Christmas.
Read Cup of Soul's coverage of 'The Proud Family' going stop-motion for A Proud Family Wizmas.
