Apple has released its 2026 holiday advertisement, titled The Dreamer, featuring the MacBook Neo in an emotional story about rediscovering childhood creativity. The nearly four-minute film follows a young artist whose passion for drawing gradually fades as he grows older, until a Christmas gift from his parents encourages him to start creating again.
The advertisement begins with a young boy who loves drawing, painting, and imagining characters. However, negative experiences and pressure from people around him gradually affect his confidence, leading him to hide his artistic interests.
Years later, his parents surprise him with a MacBook Neo for Christmas. The gift encourages him to revisit his childhood drawings and transform his characters into an animated cartoon using the laptop.
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Directed by Melina Matsoukas, The Dreamer features cinematography by Bradford Young and artwork by Hebru Brantley. The film uses Strawberry Guy’s song Give Me a Dream and tells its story without dialogue.
Interestingly, longtime Apple fans can also spot an iPhone 3GS and an older iMac during the childhood flashback scenes.
MacBook Neo Takes Center Stage in Apple’s 2026 Holiday Campaign
Apple has previously featured iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods in its holiday advertisements. This year, the company highlights its most affordable MacBook, which features an A18 Pro chip, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and up to 16 hours of battery life.
The MacBook Neo originally launched at $599, although its US starting price has since increased to $699.
Apple’s latest campaign focuses on how encouragement from family can help people pursue their creative interests.
You can watch the complete film, The Dreamer, on Apple’s official YouTube channel.
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