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Apple “A Critter Carol” 2026

Apple “A Critter Carol” (2026) is an Apple commercial directed by Mark Molloy for TBWA\Media Arts Lab, produced by Smuggler. It won 2 awards, including Clio 2026 Silver — Film / 61 Seconds to Five Minutes and ANDY Awards 2026 Gold ANDY — CRAFT.

A group of forest critters finds a lost iPhone and uses it to record their festive winter wonderland, eventually returning it to its owner.

Video: Work Editorial on Vimeo

Shot by shot

  1. Two people hike through a snowy forest, their backs to the camera, as a small creature watches from a tree branch.© Apple0:00
  2. A small, brown, furry critter with large ears is seen burrowing into a snow-covered forest floor, surrounded by frosted trees and branches.© Apple0:04
  3. An iPhone records a small raccoon standing on its hind legs in a snowy forest, looking around curiously.© Apple0:17
  4. A cute, furry squirrel-like creature with large front teeth holds an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a snowy forest.© Apple0:54
  5. A small, grey, fluffy raccoon-like creature with big eyes sits in a snowy forest, then a larger brown creature's paw stomps down, covering it.© Apple1:10
  6. A wolf puppet with blue eyes and sharp teeth talks to a group of other animal puppets in a snowy forest.© Apple1:16
  7. A group of diverse, furry forest animals, including a bear, raccoon, and deer, stand on a snow-covered log in a winter forest, looking around curiously.© Apple1:37
  8. A cute, fluffy, animated squirrel hangs upside down from a tree branch, holding a blue iPhone in its paws in a snowy forest.© Apple1:53
  9. A small, furry creature with orange fur holds a black smartphone, recording a group of other small, furry creatures in a snowy, rocky landscape.© Apple1:56
  10. A man in a red jacket and backpack walks through a snowy forest, checking his smartwatch as he goes.© Apple2:01
  11. A man with a beard and a red jacket looks down with a concerned expression while walking through a snowy forest.© Apple2:06
  12. A group of furry forest critters, including a raccoon, squirrel, and hedgehog, peek over a snowy log in a winter forest.© Apple2:11

Stills © Apple. Made by TBWA\Media Arts Lab, Smuggler and Mark Molloy.

Every shot, full-quality frames and clips, and search across every commercial. Free account.

The idea

Forest animals find an iPhone and create a musical holiday video for its owner.

Tagline: “FRIENDSHIP IS A GIFT”

animals acting like humanslost item returnedfound footageholiday spiritmusical numbersecret good deeds

The cut

Length
139 s
Shots
31
Average shot
4.5 s
Format
mixed

What creatives use Apple “A Critter Carol” for

  1. 01Reference frames for your treatment

    Pitching something with the feel of Apple “A Critter Carol”? A screenshot from a video player won't hold up in a deck.

    Download any frame of this spot at full quality, with its credits, or search every spot for the same look.

    Two people hike through a snowy forest, their backs to the camera, as a small creature watches from a tree branch.© AppleA small, brown, furry critter with large ears is seen burrowing into a snow-covered forest floor, surrounded by frosted trees and branches.© AppleAn iPhone records a small raccoon standing on its hind legs in a snowy forest, looking around curiously.© AppleA cute, furry squirrel-like creature with large front teeth holds an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a snowy forest.© Apple
    Frames from Apple “A Critter Carol”

  2. 02Shot list example: how it was cut

    You need the structure of a great spot, shot by shot, for your storyboard.

    Every shot of Apple “A Critter Carol” in order, with its length, framing and what happens in it.

    Two people hike through a snowy forest, their backs to the camera, as a small creature watches from a tree branch.© AppleA small, brown, furry critter with large ears is seen burrowing into a snow-covered forest floor, surrounded by frosted trees and branches.© AppleAn iPhone records a small raccoon standing on its hind legs in a snowy forest, looking around curiously.© AppleA cute, furry squirrel-like creature with large front teeth holds an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a snowy forest.© AppleA small, grey, fluffy raccoon-like creature with big eyes sits in a snowy forest, then a larger brown creature's paw stomps down, covering it.© AppleA wolf puppet with blue eyes and sharp teeth talks to a group of other animal puppets in a snowy forest.© Apple
    Length: 139 s · Shots: 31 · Average shot: 4.5 s · Format: mixed

  3. 03Ad ideas: every spot built on a animals acting like humans

    Before you present an idea, you need to know who has done it, and how.

    Apple “A Critter Carol” is built on a animals acting like humans. Search the library by idea to see every spot that uses it.

    The TImes & The Sunday Times “Politics. Tamed”© The TImes & The Sunday TimesMinnesota Department Of Health “Animals”© Minnesota Department Of HealthUber Eats “Get Almost Almost Anything”© Uber EatsVirgin Media “Why Walk When You Can Ride”© Virgin Media
    The TImes & The Sunday Times · Minnesota Department Of Health · Uber Eats · Virgin Media

More commercials by Mark Molloy

More from TBWA\Media Arts Lab

  • Apple "Someday" (2026) commercial still© AppleApple “Someday” 2026Dir. Spike Jonze · TBWA\Media Arts LabANDY Awards Gold 2026
  • Sandy Hook Promise "Back-To-School Essentials" (2019) commercial still© Sandy Hook PromiseSandy Hook Promise “Back-To-School Essentials” 2019Dir. Henry-Alex Rubin · TBWA\Media Arts LabEmmy (Outstanding Commercial) 2020
  • Apple Music "History of Sound" (2016) commercial still© Apple MusicApple Music “History of Sound” 2016Dir. John Hillcoat · TBWA\Media Arts LabThe One Show Gold 2016
  • Apple iPhone "There's an App for That" (2010) commercial still© Apple iPhoneApple iPhone “There's an App for That” 2010TBWA\Media Arts LabEffie Awards Gold 2010
  • iPhone "El lazo de Petra" (2025) commercial still© iPhoneiPhone “El lazo de Petra” 2025Dir. Gigi Saul Guerrero · TBWA\Media Arts LabEl Ojo de Iberoamérica Bronze 2025
  • Apple, Inc. "AirPods Pro—Snap" (2021) commercial still© Apple, Inc.Apple, Inc. “AirPods Pro—Snap” 2021TBWA\Media Arts LabThe One Show Bronze 2021

Award-winning tech commercials

Questions

Who directed the Apple “A Critter Carol” commercial?

Mark Molloy directed it, produced by Smuggler, for the agency TBWA\Media Arts Lab.

Which agency made Apple “A Critter Carol”?

TBWA\Media Arts Lab created it for Apple (2026).

What awards did Apple “A Critter Carol” win?

2 awards, including Clio 2026 Silver — Film / 61 Seconds to Five Minutes and ANDY Awards 2026 Gold ANDY — CRAFT.

What is the tagline of Apple “A Critter Carol”?

“FRIENDSHIP IS A GIFT”

Sources for the credits and awards

AdForumandyawards.comclios.comAdForumThe Workyoutube.comThe WorkThe Workdandad.org2026.liaentries.com2026.liaentries.com2026.liaentries.com