Denny’s Brings Rudolph Back to Life in Festive Stop-Motion Holiday Spot
Denny’s has tapped into holiday nostalgia with a new stop-motion commercial released in November 2025, reintroducing the beloved characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in a playful promotion for the Rudolph Everyday Value Slam. Titled “Growling Like the Bumble,” the spot blends classic Rankin/Bass–inspired character charm with a modern fast-food campaign, reminding viewers just how enduring handcrafted animation can be.
The commercial centers on the familiar wintery world of Rudolph, using stop motion to echo the tactile look and feel of the original television special. The Bumble — the Abominable Snow Monster — lends his name and personality to the tagline, framing the campaign around the idea of holiday hunger and comfort food. While the spot is lighthearted and brief, its visual language is unmistakably rooted in traditional stop-motion techniques rather than digital imitation.
Behind the scenes, the animation was produced by Bent Image Lab, a studio well known for its character-driven commercials and mixed-media animation. The project was produced by animation producer Lindsay Berkebile, who shared details about the production on LinkedIn, calling the opportunity to bring Rudolph’s world to life for Denny’s a “bucket list” project.
According to Berkebile, the production brought together a seasoned stop-motion team. Art direction was handled by Doug Cummings, with cinematography by Ptszk Media, LLC. Animation was led by Jen Prokopowicz, production by Trever Stewart, and direction by Chel White, co-founder of Bent Image Lab and a long-time figure in the stop-motion commercial space. The collaboration highlights how much specialized craft and coordination still goes into even short-form broadcast spots.
What makes this commercial particularly notable is its respectful use of a legacy stop-motion property. Rather than re-creating the characters digitally, the spot leans into the physicality, lighting, and charm associated with classic holiday animation. For fans of the original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the ad feels less like a novelty tie-in and more like a continuation of a visual tradition that has endured for decades.
The Rudolph Everyday Value Slam campaign is part of Denny’s broader seasonal marketing push, but the commercial stands out as a reminder that stop motion remains a powerful storytelling tool in advertising. Even in an era dominated by CG and AI-driven visuals, the warmth and authenticity of handcrafted animation continues to resonate — especially during the holidays.
As more studios and brands revisit classic techniques for contemporary campaigns, this Denny’s spot serves as a strong example of how stop motion can bridge generations, blending nostalgia with modern commercial storytelling.
Sources
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Unofficial upload of Denny’s Commercial 2025 – Rudolph Everyday Value Slam (Growling Like the Bumble)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWD3liAIMNc -
Lindsay Berkebile, LinkedIn post confirming role as Animation Producer and key crew credits
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lindsay-berkebile-17521a133_rudolphtherednosereindeer-rudolphstopmotion-activity-7408946251779735554-hz6x -
Bent Image Lab — Official website
https://bentimagelab.com/ -
iSpot.tv listing for Denny’s Rudolph Everyday Value Slam – Growling Like the Bumble
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/Bud0/dennys-rudolph-everyday-value-slam-growling-like-the-bumble -
Denny’s official holiday promotions featuring the Rudolph Everyday Value Slam
https://www.dennys.com/promotions
