Is this a full-length movie?

No. It's a short film that runs for approximately two minutes. It's perfect for a quick transition or a 'one last thing' before bed.

Where can I actually watch it?

Since it was a high-profile holiday campaign, it's easily found on YouTube on the official John Lewis & Partners channel or by searching the title.

Is there any dialogue?

None at all. The story is told entirely through character animation and a musical cover of Keane's 'Somewhere Only We Know' by Lily Allen.

Is it too sad for toddlers?

The middle is a bit melancholy because the Hare is lonely while the Bear sleeps, but the ending is incredibly joyful and rewarding. Most toddlers handle it just fine.

The Bear and the Hare – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Bear and the Hare

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2013

94%

WISE Score

A breathtakingly beautiful two-minute story about a hare who gives his hibernating best friend the gift of Christmas.

The Bear and the Hare

movie

2013

94%

WISE Score

A breathtakingly beautiful two-minute story about a hare who gives his hibernating best friend the gift of Christmas.

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Screenwise Verdict

Originally a UK Christmas commercial, this has evolved into a standalone piece of short-film art. It is short, sweet, and technically brilliant.

If you have two minutes and want to show your kid something that isn't loud, frantic, or fueled by toy sales, this is your winner. It's a quiet, beautiful reminder of what friendship looks like.

Age Fit

This is a rare 'all-ages' gem. It's gentle enough for a 2-year-old but so artistically significant that a high school art student would find it fascinating.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a masterclass in gentle storytelling. The central theme—making sure a friend doesn't miss out on a shared experience—is pure gold for kids learning about empathy.

Imaginative

The production technique is incredible: hand-drawn 2D animation placed into physical, stop-motion sets. It’s a visual feast that invites kids to wonder how it was made.

Safe

100

Zero red flags. No violence, no scares, no snark. It’s as safe as media gets without being lobotomized.

Enriching

Beyond the emotional intelligence on display, it's a great entry point for talking about art styles and the concept of hibernation.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning visual style that blends traditional hand-drawn animation with tangible, stop-motion environments.
Models deep empathy by showing a character who goes out of their way to include a friend in a special moment.
Perfect length for toddlers or preschoolers with short attention spans who still deserve high-quality art.
Emotional resonance that works for adults too, mostly thanks to the Lily Allen cover of 'Somewhere Only We Know.'

⚠

What to Watch For

The bear does start to hibernate, which might lead to some questions about why he's leaving his friend behind initially.
It's a tear-jerker. If your kid is highly sensitive to 'sad' music or characters feeling lonely, they might need a hug.

Conversation Starters

"Why did the Hare want the Bear to wake up for Christmas?"
"How do you think the Bear felt when he saw the tree for the first time?"
"If you could give a gift to a friend who was missing out on something, what would it be?"
"Did you notice how the animals looked like drawings but the trees looked real? How do you think they did that?"

Deep Dive

The Art of the Short

In a world of 'CoComelon' and high-decibel YouTube creators, The Bear and the Hare feels like a deep breath. It was created by the team at Adam & Eve/DDB for John Lewis in 2013, and while its origins are commercial, its execution is pure cinema.

What makes it stand out is the labor-intensive process. The creators printed out every single frame of the 2D animation, laser-cut them, and then placed them into a physical forest set to be filmed frame-by-frame. This gives the film a 'tactile' quality that CGI just can't replicate.

For parents, it’s a great way to introduce the concept of traditional animation. It doesn't rely on dialogue to tell its story, making it a perfect exercise in visual literacy for younger kids. They have to read the Hare's expressions to understand his plan. It’s sophisticated without being complicated.

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