From Best To Worst: The Definitive List Of John Lewis Christmas Ads

John Lewis’ Christmas ads burst on to our TV screens 11 years ago, and let’s be honest, the festive period hasn’t been the same since.

Friendships and work relationships have been forged and have fallen in equal measure during the annual discussion about the best John Lewis advert.

But, seriously what is the best ad?

Well we’re putting this debate to bed by ranking every single John Lewis ad from best to worst.

It has proven quite contentious and not everyone is happy with the results, but democracy rules, so here’s the definitive list of John Lewis ads 2007 -2018.

Here we gooo….

1. Monty the Penguin (2004)

Controversial af (the Editor still doesn’t agree), but this has to be the best John Lewis ad.

It has all the ingredients of being a winner – a little boy’s imaginary best friend (inspired by his favourite cuddly toy) is looking for love. Luckily, Monty is united with a love of his own for Christmas.

Filmed to the backdrop of Tom Odell’s cover of John Lennon’s Real Love, this emotional tearjerker will have you welling up every time.

Every. Goddamn. Time.

2. The Journey (2012) A.K.A The Snowman

A snowman goes on an epic journey battling the elements to get to a shop to buy his girlfriend a pair of gloves.

He returns a little grubby, but triumphant. The smiles on both the snowman and snow-woman are so heartwarming.

Gabrielle Aplin’s cover of The Power Of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood will have you reaching for the tissues.

3. Man On The Moon (2015)

This is the story of a young girl called Lily who discovers a man on the moon when looking through her family telescope.

Seeing the man is all alone, she becomes determined to get something to the moon, to send him a message and show him that someone down here is thinking of him.

The music is Half the World Away performed by Aurora – the original song was by Oasis.

4. The Boy and the Piano (2018)

Not too many people were impressed with this year’s advert with many saying it’s just a piece of marketing for Elton.

The last scene ties it all together, however, and we think it nails this year’s message of “power of the gift”.

The film begins in the present day and works backwards chronologically through Elton’s life right until the moment on Christmas morning when he received the special gift that changed his life.

Whatever you think of it, it will still be the most-watched ad between now and the end of November. It’s already trending on social media with the tag #EltonJohnLewis.

5. The Bear and the Hare (2013)

What is it about animals that makes us melt? And fur babies decorating Christmas trees? We’re already bawling tbh.

Set in a beautiful forest, poor Bear is the only animal that never gets to celebrate Christmas because he has to hibernate every year. However, this year is different. This year Hare has a brilliant idea.

Set to Lily Allen’s cover of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know, this is one of John Lewis’ most heartfelt creations.

6. The Long Wait (2011)

This ad focuses on the gifts you give rather than the gifts you receive.

It tells the story of a little boy who is impatiently waiting for Christmas. He sighs as he opens his Advent calendar window every morning and sees how much he still has to wait until the big day.

He gobbles his dinner every night so he can go to bed early and get to the next day.

Finally, Christmas morning comes and he bursts into his parent’s room with their present, hastily wrapped, eager to give it to them.

Slow Moving Millie’s cover of The Smith’s Please, Please, Please is the perfect accompaniment.