It’s been a long time coming, but John Lewis has finally delivered a Christmas advert that is up there with their best.
Trust us – you’re going to need tissues at the ready, as the retailer’s 2025 ad is a heartwarming tear-jerker that’ll make you want to hug your loved ones as tightly as possible.
In a story reminiscent of The Long Wait – which, in my opinion, is the best festive advert John Lewis has ever made – the new story centres on a teenage boy and his dad, and how a meaningful gift can suffice when you can’t find the words to express how much you care about someone.
The release of the John Lewis Christmas advert has become one of the most highly anticipated highlights of the British pop culture calendar, with past golden adverts including The Bear and the Hare, The Man on the Moon, and Monty the Penguin.
Many people have felt as though the past couple of festive films released by John Lewis have been subpar, even if they still managed to spread joy to the masses.
Thankfully, the retail giant’s latest short film marks a return to glorious form, set to the upbeat tune of Alison Limerick’s 1990 banger Where Love Lives.
It then transitions into a more stripped-back version by globally-acclaimed artist Labrinth that’ll send chills racing up your spine.
What’s the story of the John Lewis 2025 Christmas advert?
The story, which is also titled Where Love Lives, begins on Christmas Day, where a family is tidying up in their house after opening their presents.
A teenage boy, who’s listening to music with headphones on, keeps glancing anxiously in the direction of the Christmas tree, where his dad is clearing up the wrapping paper and stumbles across a present addressed to him that he hadn’t spotted before.
As the dad picks up the present –which is clearly from his son – the boy races out of the room, seemingly anxious about what his father will think of the gift.
The dad opens the wrapping to discover a vinyl of Alison Limerick’s Where Love Lives. As he places the vinyl on the record player, he’s transported back to a dancefloor in the 90s, where a crowd of people are beaming and sweating as they move in rhythm with the music.
While the man is initially swept up in the joy of the music and dancing, his face drops as he spots his son across the crowd, the teenager staring at him with a solemn expression on his face.
The crowd disappears, and the dad beckons for the teenager to walk towards him.
When the camera focuses back on his son, he’s now a toddler, running enthusiastically towards his dad.
Then, as the dad scoops him up into his arms, his son is now back to being a baby, staring up into his father’s eyes with awe.
The man is transported from the dancefloor back to his house, where he’s facing his son in the living room.
Which of these beloved John Lewis adverts is your favourite?
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The Long Wait
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The Man on the Moon
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Monty the Penguin
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The Boy and the Piano
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The Bear and the Hare
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The Journey
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A Tribute to Givers
His eyes well up with tears as he pulls the boy in for a tight embrace, one that they both clearly need and have been wanting from each other for a long time.
The aim of the John Lewis advert this year is to convey the message: ‘If you can’t find the words, find the gift.’
I’ll admit it – my eyes were a bit leaky too as the short film came to an end.
While the advert is a completely new story, and the first time in 18 years of Christmas campaigns that they’ve focused specifically on a father and son, it bears a strong resemblance to The Long Wait.
The Long Wait was released in 2011 and followed a young boy who couldn’t stop counting the days down until Christmas.
At first, the viewer thinks that he can’t wait for the big day so that he can open his presents, but it turns out that the whole time, he’s just been waiting to give a special present to his parents.
After being asked about the parallel by Metro, a John Lewis representative told us and other media: ‘I wouldn’t say it was a conscious choice, but there is a bit of a coming of age about the boy and that relationship. You’re not the first person to observe that.
‘It just really shows the importance of retaining that element of thoughtful gifting and really clear, single-minded messaging throughout all of our advertising.’
The new film serves as a powerful reminder that even if you don’t have the right words to say, it’s never too late to show your loved ones how much you care.
What is the John Lewis 2025 Christmas advert song and who sings it?
The song chosen to be featured in the John Lewis 2025 Christmas advert is Alison Limerick’s Where Love Lives, which was originally released in 1990 and was hailed as one of the greatest dance songs of all time by Billboard this year.
Then, as the short film becomes more emotional, and the dad is looking at a younger version of his son, it transitions into a newly reimagined version by Labrinth.
Alison said that she ‘squealed like an excited child’ when she heard that her hit song was going to be in the advert.
‘Music has always had the power to bring all kinds of peeps together, but I hope this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert will give those who see it a new, emotional connection with the song – especially with what Labrinth has created. His gentle version is just so beautiful; it’s sure to fill the heart with love,’ she said.
Labrinth added: ‘To think a boy like me from East London, Hackney, who grew up watching this iconic advert would one day reimagine a classic and compose a piece of music for John Lewis’s forward-thinking direction is a big deal for me.
‘This advert is embedded in British Christmas culture and I miss home, so I’m honoured to be a part of it.’
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