“The Boy and the Octopus”, a Disney Christmas short film directed by Taika Waititi

Disney unveiled a Christmas short film by Taika Waititi on Monday about the friendship between a young boy and a curious octopus.

Already more than 2.5 million views for the new Disney short film, uploaded Monday on YouTube. Signed by Taika Waititi, the director of Jojo Rabbit et Thor: Love and Thunderthis live-action short film tells the story of the friendship between a young boy and an octopus he meets while swimming.

At first frightened by the small animal which refuses to leave the top of his head, the young boy quickly becomes accustomed to its presence.

Meeting with Santa Claus

He introduces her to his world, his toys, his activities, then decides to take her to see a little of the world. At least as far as the nearby shopping street, adorned with Christmas decorations.

The curious little octopus decides, upon discovering Santa Claus on television, to meet the man.

Animated Christmas short films are a Disney tradition. As early as 1927, even before the creation of Mickey, Disney had released a short animated film featuring its first character, Oswald the lucky rabbit. Then Mickey, Donald or Pluto were featured numerous times in stories set at Christmas: in Mickey Santa (in 1932), Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952) or Merry Christmas, Mickey and Donald (2016).