The first John Lewis Christmas advert and it is clear they had not yet come across the secret sauce that would make their annual Christmas campaign’s so memorable. It has its charm and is a clever concept - but ultimately it is not particularly festive and doesn’t pull at the heartstrings. Rating: 1 Jingle Bellplaceholder image
The first John Lewis Christmas advert and it is clear they had not yet come across the secret sauce that would make their annual Christmas campaign’s so memorable. It has its charm and is a clever concept - but ultimately it is not particularly festive and doesn’t pull at the heartstrings. Rating: 1 Jingle Bell | YouTube/ John Lewis

John Lewis Christmas advert 2024: every John Lewis ad ranked since 2007 from worst to best

By Matthew Mohan-Hickson

Senior Reporter

Published 6th Nov 2024, 11:35 BST

From Monty the Penguin to Buster the Boxer - ranked! 🎅

The John Lewis Christmas advert is a true modern British festive institution. 

From Monty the Penguin to Buster the Boxer and the Man on the Moon, we will all have a personal favourite. But with more than a decade’s worth of adverts to choose from - going back all the way to 2007 - it might be hard to remember which are the best as the years go by. 

As we eagerly await the 18th John Lewis Christmas advert - I have looked back through the trends to see if I can find any clues for when the 2024 edition could drop. I have also decided to take on the mammoth task of ranking all of the past ads: from worst to best. Also take a look at the great Waitrose ad here.

The rating system is from one to five Jingle Bells - and is based on my personal opinion on how Christmassy the advert is, how well the storyline works, the choice of song and more. Do you agree with my ranking, let me know by emailing me: [email protected]. 

The latest effort from John Lewis is a decent go of things, but probably won't live long in the memory and won't be as fondly remembered as the true classics. It is a nice change of pace, focusing on the relationship between dads and sons - but it never truly pulls on the heartstrings in an effective way. 3.7 Jingle Bells

9. 11 - Where the Love Lies (2025)

The latest effort from John Lewis is a decent go of things, but probably won't live long in the memory and won't be as fondly remembered as the true classics. It is a nice change of pace, focusing on the relationship between dads and sons - but it never truly pulls on the heartstrings in an effective way. 3.7 Jingle Bells | John Lewis Photo: John Lewis

Perhaps the John Lewis advert with the most iconic song - Lily Allen’s cover of Somewhere Only We Know. It was such a hit that it topped the UK single’s chart. Beautifully animated, it does feel like one of those adaptations of Julia Donaldson books that air on BBC every year. But because it is fully cartoon, it feels a bit too adrift from reality in a way the ads usually don’t. Rating: 3.75 Jingle Bells.

10. 10 - The Bear and the Hare (2013)

Perhaps the John Lewis advert with the most iconic song - Lily Allen’s cover of Somewhere Only We Know. It was such a hit that it topped the UK single’s chart. Beautifully animated, it does feel like one of those adaptations of Julia Donaldson books that air on BBC every year. But because it is fully cartoon, it feels a bit too adrift from reality in a way the ads usually don’t. Rating: 3.75 Jingle Bells. | YouTube/ John Lewis Photo: YouTube/ John Lewis

Love the song in this, Andrea Bocelli adds such a unique spin on the usual soundtrack to a John Lewis Christmas advert. More in the vein of Edgar and Buster the Boxer, featuring a bit of a chaotic element seemingly ruining Christmas, only to make it more magical in the end. It is charming, but nothing earth shattering. Rating: 3.8 Jingle Bells.

11. 9 - Snapper (2023)

Love the song in this, Andrea Bocelli adds such a unique spin on the usual soundtrack to a John Lewis Christmas advert. More in the vein of Edgar and Buster the Boxer, featuring a bit of a chaotic element seemingly ruining Christmas, only to make it more magical in the end. It is charming, but nothing earth shattering. Rating: 3.8 Jingle Bells. | YouTube/ John Lewis Photo: YouTube/ John Lewis

What a great advert, following a young boy who is desperately counting down the days until Christmas - trying everything possible to make the clock go faster. But the twist is he isn’t excited to open his presents, he simply can’t wait to give a gift to his parents. Rating: 4 Jingle Bells

12. 8 - The Long Wait (2011)

What a great advert, following a young boy who is desperately counting down the days until Christmas - trying everything possible to make the clock go faster. But the twist is he isn’t excited to open his presents, he simply can’t wait to give a gift to his parents. Rating: 4 Jingle Bells | YouTube/ John Lewis Photo: YouTube/ John Lewis

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