NEW YORK — Thanksgiving may still be two weeks away, but if you’re already in the Christmas mood, there’s a new short you might want to add to your holiday movie rotation.

It’s called “Almost Christmas Story” — and no, it has nothing to do with the other movie you’re thinking of.

Instead, it attempts to capture the true meaning of Christmas through the eyes of an owl who finds himself stuck inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

John C. Reilly, one of the stars of the film, talked about what makes the film so special.

“First of all, the true story of this little owl getting stuck in the real Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and then they discovered him there with his wing broken, now that’s a pretty great Christmas story,” he said. “I think there’s room not only for different Christmas stories, but also for new Christmas songs, of which we have two great new songs written for the movie.”

Reilly returns to his musical roots with his role as The Folk Singer in the new short film. “I love him,” he said. “I love singing.”

His film career spanned decades; He made his debut in 1989 with his role in Brian De Palma’s film “War Wounded”, starring Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn.

“War Wounded was my first film,” he said. “It was my first time on a plane, my first time in front of a camera. Yes, many firsts. I met my wife in that movie, and a few near-death experiences immediately came to mind. Michael J. Fox said never drive in a country that believes in reincarnation.”

A year later, Reilly starred in the sports action drama “Days of Thunder.”

“Yes, it was with Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall and Tony Scott. That was my first two-picture NASCAR movie,” he recalls. “Then I did it, I did ‘Talladega Nights.’ I don’t think you’ll find too many people who have been in two NASCAR movies.”

It’s hard to imagine Reilly, who has had a stellar career in movies like “Step Brothers,” “Wreck It Ralph” and “Gangs of New York,” will do anything outside of the big screen. However, Reilly shared his thoughts on what he would have become if he wasn’t an actor.

“Before I decided to become an actor, the jobs I considered were being a priest and a lawyer. I am happy that I did not do any of these,” he said. “But you know, the truth is, at some point I realized I shouldn’t just pick a job and be an actor because then I can do any job. Finally do the fun part for three months and then as soon as it gets boring, you know, move on to another job.”

Reilly shared more about what he hopes viewers will take away from “An Almost Christmas Story.”

“I hope people understand that in dark times or when you’re worried about your future or the future of the world, the best place to start is right around you, and that’s our families and that’s our communities,” he said. “And the film has a lot to say about helping the most vulnerable people and creatures we see around us every day, and I hope people take that message to heart.”

“An Almost Christmas Story” airs on Disney+ on Friday.

Disney is the parent company of Disney+ and this station.