Elmo and Mark Rober’s Merry Giftmas 2025 Movie Review
Elmo & Mark Rober’s Merry Giftmas (2025) arrives as one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming, educational, and delightfully chaotic holiday films of the year, blending Sesame Street–style warmth with Mark Rober’s trademark engineering flair to create a movie that feels both nostalgically familiar and refreshingly inventive. The film follows an imaginative premise: Elmo, excited about celebrating Giftmas—a holiday tradition on Sesame Street that emphasizes kindness, generosity, and creative gift-giving—teams up with former NASA engineer and YouTube sensation Mark Rober to build the ultimate “Gift Gizmo,” a fantastical machine designed to help Santa streamline the global gift-delivery process.
What follows is a whirlwind of colorful set pieces, cheerful musical numbers, child-friendly moral lessons, and science-driven problem-solving sequences that elevate the movie beyond typical holiday fare. The storytelling works because the movie never forgets its audience—children and families looking for feel-good fun—yet it also doesn’t shy away from offering clever lessons in engineering concepts, emotional intelligence, and the meaning of giving. From its opening moments, Merry Giftmas bursts with energy. We start on Sesame Street, beautifully rendered with updated textures and lighting that make the familiar setting feel polished without losing its comforting charm. Elmo is preparing his handmade gifts when he learns that the Giftmas gift-count has reached an all-time high, and Santa might struggle to deliver everything on time.
Enter Mark Rober, who arrives through a comedic sequence involving a rocket-powered sled malfunctioning mid-landing. His presence immediately injects a kinetic, science-adventure tone that parents will appreciate as much as children. Mark’s live-action sequences blend seamlessly with the puppetry and animation, and his natural charisma makes him feel like he belongs on Sesame Street as much as any long-time character. One of the strongest aspects of the film is its balanced humor. There are plenty of kid-friendly jokes—Elmo’s overly enthusiastic attempts at engineering, Cookie Monster trying to eat any device that looks remotely edible, and Oscar the Grouch offering snarky commentary about “commercialized holidays.” But adults are not left out either; Mark’s dry humor, references to his engineering mishaps, and clever Easter eggs related to his YouTube inventions (the glitter bomb, squirrel maze, and more) add layers of appeal.
The script makes a smart decision by having Elmo and Mark serve as narrative foils: Mark brings logic, precision, and methodical problem-solving, while Elmo embodies heart, creativity, and empathy. Their teamwork becomes the core emotional arc, as both characters learn that the true spirit of Giftmas is not about perfect gifts or flawless execution, but about thoughtful intention and shared joy. The Gift Gizmo itself becomes almost a character in the film—a whimsical contraption reminiscent of both Rube Goldberg machines and Mark Rober’s real-world projects. As Elmo and Mark design, test, and refine it, the film cleverly weaves in STEM principles like trial-and-error, cause and effect, basic physics, and adaptability.
These sequences are visually delightful, using bright colors, playful animations, and imaginative mechanisms that make learning feel effortlessly fun. The design attention here is impressive; children can follow along, but adults will notice genuinely clever engineering nods. Alongside the central plot are charming side stories involving other Sesame Street residents. Big Bird tries to create the world’s biggest handmade snowflake but discovers that bigger isn’t always better, a metaphor for appreciating small gestures. Abby Cadabby attempts to use magic to replicate gifts faster but repeatedly generates humorous magical mishaps, reminding viewers that shortcuts aren’t always the best solution. Bert and Ernie embark on a subplot involving miscommunications about the gifts they’re planning for each other, reinforcing themes of listening and expressing appreciation.
These subplots interlock with the main story in a pacing that feels natural and contributes to the broader message: giving is meaningful because it comes from connection, thoughtfulness, and effort. Visually, the movie is vibrant and immersive. Sesame Workshop’s collaboration with modern filmmaking technology results in puppets that feel alive in a more kinetic environment than usual, seamlessly interacting with digital effects and live-action sequences. The North Pole setting—visited midway through the film when Santa’s workshop experiences a mechanical breakdown—is especially stunning, filled with glowing lights, animated tools, and charming elf characters who mirror Mark’s engineering passion. The soundtrack is another standout, featuring new songs that are surprisingly catchy while staying true to Sesame Street’s musical DNA. The film’s main number, “Give a Little Joy,” performed by Elmo and an ensemble of other characters, offers a powerful emotional core, celebrating intentional giving rather than materialism.
Mark Rober even joins a comedic rap-style interlude explaining how the Gift Gizmo works, allowing him to shine in a self-aware, humorous moment that younger audiences will love. The emotional climax occurs when the Gift Gizmo, after working beautifully during a test run, malfunctions spectacularly during the real Giftmas rush, causing presents to burst into confetti across the workshop. Elmo is heartbroken, believing he has ruined Giftmas for everyone, while Mark feels responsible for pushing the machine too far. This moment leads to one of the film’s most touching scenes: Santa—played with warmth and gentle humor—reminds them that giving isn’t measured by efficiency or perfection, but by care and sincerity. Elmo and Mark, inspired by this wisdom, revert to what makes Giftmas special: working together, thinking creatively, and handcrafting meaningful gifts. This final act ties every theme together in a way that feels earnest rather than preachy.
Families watching will easily connect with the reminder that the holiday season should not be driven by stress or competition, but by connection and kindness. The resolution is both heartwarming and visually spectacular as all the characters collaborate to save Giftmas, using a combination of Mark’s engineering improvisations, Abby’s carefully controlled magic, and everyone else’s handmade gifts. The final Giftmas celebration on Sesame Street glows with warmth, featuring laughter, music, and an atmosphere that perfectly captures the film’s central message. What elevates Merry Giftmas is its successful blending of educational and emotional storytelling. Many films aimed at young audiences attempt to teach lessons but end up feeling didactic or shallow. Here, the lessons feel naturally integrated through narrative action and character development. Children learn about resilience through Elmo’s persistence, problem-solving through Mark’s experimentation, emotional empathy through the interactions among Sesame Street residents, and gratitude through the overarching theme of giving. There are no heavy-handed lectures—only vibrant storytelling that invites engagement and reflection.
The film’s pacing is steady and accessible, though at times younger viewers may find the engineering-heavy scenes slightly complex, but these are balanced with humor and visual delight to keep all ages invested. Mark Rober’s presence is never gimmicky; he blends into the Sesame Street world with surprising ease, thanks to his genuine enthusiasm and ability to communicate science in a friendly, digestible manner. His chemistry with Elmo is one of the film’s biggest strengths, capturing a dynamic that feels wholesome and engaging. It’s also refreshing to see a holiday film that avoids clichés about gift obsession or consumerism, choosing instead to focus on generosity, creativity, and teamwork. By the time the film concludes, audiences are left with a clear takeaway: gifts are meaningful because of the love, thought, and effort behind them. In an age where holiday films often feel formulaic, Elmo & Mark Rober’s Merry Giftmas stands out as a heartfelt, imaginative, and joy-filled adventure that resonates with both children and parents. It celebrates everything audiences cherish about Sesame Street while introducing the exciting world of playful engineering through Mark Rober’s lens. With memorable characters, lively music, clever educational elements, and a message that feels timeless, Merry Giftmas delivers a holiday experience that is as meaningful as it is entertaining. It’s a movie that invites children to dream, inspires families to create together, and reminds everyone watching that the true spirit of the season shines brightest when we give with love, imagination, and kindness—making it one of the most delightful and uplifting holiday releases of 2025.
