Aardman Animations broadens their humor a bit for Arthur Christmas, a clever and earnest holiday film with surprising emotional strength.

Director:

Sarah Smith

Starring:

James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy

Short, nostalgic, and gently whimsical, Winnie the Pooh offers young audiences -- and their parents -- a sweetly traditional family treat.

Director:

Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall

Starring:

Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny

Rango is a smart, giddily creative burst of beautifully animated entertainment, and Johnny Depp gives a colorful vocal performance as a household pet in an unfamiliar world.

Director:

Gore Verbinski

Starring:

Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin

It isn't deep or groundbreaking, but what it lacks in profundity, Puss in Boots more than makes up for with an abundance of wit, visual sparkle, and effervescent charm.

Director:

Chris Miller

Starring:

Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis

The storyline arc may seem a tad familiar to fans of the original, but Kung Fu Panda 2 offers enough action, comedy, and visual sparkle to compensate.

Director:

Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Jennifer Yuh

Starring:

Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman