Monty the Penguin
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The story
Why it stays with you
A boy notices that his penguin friend longs for companionship in John Lewis's 2014 Christmas story, set to Tom Odell's Real Love.
Sam and Monty make an unusual pair of friends. Yet as they spend time together, the boy begins to notice that his penguin companion wants someone of his own to love.
Dougal Wilson directs a story that saves its change of perspective for Christmas morning. The penguin is computer-generated, but the feeling at the centre of the advert is familiar: paying close attention to what someone else needs.
Tom Odell's cover of Real Love provides the soundtrack. The advert launched online on 6 November 2014, ahead of its television premiere during Channel 4's Gogglebox the following day.
First shown 6 November 2014. Playback checked 15 October 2026. Video availability may change.
Behind the advert
Director
Dougal Wilson
Credits & sources
- Brand
- John Lewis
- Year
- 2014
- Cut
- Full film
- Shown
- Online and television
- Territory
- UK
- First shown
- 6 November 2014
- Director
- Dougal Wilson
- John Lewis Christmas advert archive (opens in a new tab) · checked 9 October 2026
- ITV News: John Lewis launches Christmas advert 2014 (opens in a new tab) · checked 4 October 2026
Record updated 15 October 2026.