5 Iconic Secrets Behind The M&M's "They Do Exist" Commercial That Still Airs Every Christmas (Updated 2025)

Every holiday season, as of late 2024, a familiar scene plays out on televisions around the world: two animated chocolate candies, Red and Yellow, encounter Santa Claus under a Christmas tree, leading to a simultaneous, iconic faint. The phrase "They do exist!" is instantly recognizable, cementing the 1996 M&M's Christmas commercial as one of the most enduring and beloved holiday advertisements of all time. This short, 15-second spot is more than just a nostalgic piece of marketing; it is a timeless cultural phenomenon that perfectly captures the magic of discovery for both the candies and the legendary figure of Christmas.

The commercial’s continued relevance, nearly three decades after its debut, is a testament to its simple yet brilliant concept. Its success is so profound that the characters, Red and Yellow, have become permanently linked to the holiday spirit, even amidst recent, highly-publicized changes and controversies surrounding the M&M's spokescandies in 2023 and 2024, proving that the original magic of their existence remains a powerful marketing tool for the Mars company.

The Immortal Legacy of Red, Yellow, and Santa Claus

The "They Do Exist" commercial, officially titled "Faint," is a masterclass in concise storytelling and character development. It is the single most famous interaction between the M&M's mascots and a real-world figure, creating a mythical moment that has transcended generations.

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• The Core Premise: Red and Yellow M&M's are delivering Christmas M&M's when Red spots Santa Claus under the tree. Believing Santa to be a myth, Red exclaims, "He does exist!" Simultaneously, Santa Claus, seeing the anthropomorphic candies, exclaims, "They do exist!" Both characters then faint from the shock of discovering the other's reality.
• Debut Date: The commercial first aired in 1996 and has been a staple of holiday television programming ever since.
• The Mascots: The ad features the cynical, sarcastic Red M&M (voiced by actor Jon Lovitz in early years, and Billy West for a long period) and the lovable, dim-witted Yellow M&M (also voiced by John Lovitz and later J.K. Simmons).
• The Creator: The animation was produced by Will Vinton Studios, a company renowned for popularizing the *Claymation* stop-motion style. However, the M&M's spokescandies were actually animated using cutting-edge CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery), a key factor in their smooth, expressive movements that made them feel so alive.
• Director: The ad was directed by Kirk Kelley, a prominent figure at Will Vinton Studios.
• Parent Company: The M&M's brand is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a global confectionery giant founded by Forrest Mars, Sr. (one of the original "M's" alongside Bruce Murrie).

Secret #1: The CGI Breakthrough That Defined a Brand

While Will Vinton Studios was synonymous with Claymation (like the California Raisins), the M&M's mascots were a pivotal early example of using CGI to create realistic, expressive characters. This was a crucial decision that elevated the M&M's brand from a simple candy to a powerhouse of character-driven marketing.

The "Faint" commercial was not the first appearance of Red and Yellow, who had been introduced in 1995. However, the quality of the CGI animation allowed the characters to interact seamlessly with a live-action environment—Santa's living room. The detail in Santa's beard, the lighting on the candies' shells, and the convincing way they "faint" (Red hitting the floor, Santa collapsing behind the couch) gave the short ad a cinematic quality. This realistic animation style was essential for the commercial’s central joke to land: the shock of seeing something that shouldn't exist. The success of this 1996 ad helped solidify the M&M's spokescandies' role as the face of the brand for decades to come, a testament to the early digital animation work.

Secret #2: The Official 2017 Sequel That Answered the Question

For twenty years, the 1996 commercial ended on a cliffhanger: What happened to Red and Santa after they fainted? Did they ever wake up? In a brilliant move to generate buzz and tap into nostalgia, M&M's released a direct sequel in 2017 titled "Faint 2: A Very Yellow Sequel."

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This "sequel" provided the answer and gave the often-overlooked Yellow M&M his moment in the spotlight. The ad, a collaboration between CLM BBDO in France and BBDO New York, shows Yellow M&M attempting to save Christmas. Yellow, seeing Red and Santa unconscious, decides to take matters into his own hands by approaching the chimney to deliver the presents. In a hilarious twist, Yellow slips and falls, causing the bag of M&M's to spill out. A young girl, hearing the commotion, comes downstairs, sees Yellow, and exclaims, "Mommy, look! Santa ate the Red one!" She then picks up Yellow and prepares to eat him, leading the terrified Yellow to exclaim, "This is NOT happening!" before he, too, faints. This follow-up ad successfully reignited interest in the classic, proving the enduring power of the original narrative.

Secret #3: The Spokescandies Controversy and Their Resilient Return (2024/2025 Context)

The timeless nature of the classic Red and Yellow characters from "They Do Exist" is highlighted by the brand’s recent, high-profile drama. In early 2023, M&M's faced unexpected backlash after redesigning its Spokescandies to promote a more inclusive message, particularly involving the female-presenting characters, Green and the addition of Purple.

The controversy led M&M's to announce an "indefinite pause" on the use of the Spokescandies, temporarily replacing them with comedian Maya Rudolph as the new spokesperson. However, the brand quickly realized the irreplaceable value of its iconic mascots. The Spokescandies made a triumphant return just a few weeks later, starring in the brand's Super Bowl LVIII ad in early 2024. This entire saga only served to underscore the cultural significance of the characters established in ads like "They Do Exist." The fact that the 1996 commercial continues to air, unaffected by the modern marketing pivots, shows that the core duo of Red and Yellow holds an almost mythical status in advertising history, making them truly "exist" in the public consciousness more than any temporary campaign.

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Secret #4: The Subtle Reference to M&M's Founding Principle

The core phrase "They do exist!" is not just a punchline; it subtly references the very foundation of the M&M's brand. The initial appeal of M&M's, created by Forrest Mars, Sr. in 1941, was that the chocolate candy would "melt in your mouth, not in your hand." The hard candy shell made the chocolate exist in a new, durable, and transportable form, which was especially useful during World War II when soldiers needed a treat that wouldn't melt. The candy's very existence, protected by its shell, is a key part of its identity.

In the commercial, the shock is a reversal of this: Santa is shocked that the candies *exist* as sentient beings, and Red is shocked that the myth of Santa *exists* in reality. It’s a playful, circular joke on the concept of reality and existence itself, elevating the simple chocolate snack to a subject of philosophical, albeit comedic, debate. This deep-seated connection to the theme of "existence" is why the slogan in the commercial is so effective and memorable. The brand's long-standing slogan, "Look for the m on every piece," further reinforces the concept of their unique, verifiable existence.

Secret #5: The Commercial's Role as a True Holiday Icon

Unlike many other holiday ads that fade after a few seasons, the M&M's "They Do Exist" spot has achieved a rare status: it is considered a non-negotiable part of the Christmas viewing experience, frequently appearing on lists of the best Christmas commercials of all time alongside classics like the Hershey's "Bells" ad.

Its success is based on its perfect execution of a simple, universal moment of wonder. The ad doesn't try to sell a new flavor or a temporary promotion; it sells the magic of the season and the inherent charm of the M&M's characters. It is a piece of corporate folklore that has become part of the collective memory of multiple generations. Because it is so timeless, the Mars company can continue to air the 1996 version year after year, guaranteeing a dose of nostalgia and brand recognition without ever needing to update the creative. The enduring presence of the ad ensures that, for millions, the M&M's spokescandies will always be the ones who discovered that Santa Claus truly does exist, and vice-versa, securing their place as holiday advertising royalty for 2025 and beyond.