PAW Patrol: The Movie

These adorable, selfless rescue pups are irresistible to preschoolers, who will be delighted by the movie's sweet, simple adventure. Sometimes studios will cut corners with movies aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, figuring the littlest viewers will be happy to watch any animated movie about talking animals, but that's not the case here. Yes, families with existing PAW Patrol fans may have a deeper, more immediate connection to the story, but even audiences who don't know anything more than the theme song will be pleasantly surprised at the movie being much more than just superficial silliness. Its themes of teamwork, trust-building, and courage are overt without being preachy, and the celebrity voice cameos will make parents laugh, like Jimmy Kimmel playing a TV reporter, Tyler Perry as a truck driver in need of saving, and even Kim Kardashian West as a fancy poodle (naturally).

It's particularly exciting to see that the pups' new recruit is brave, outspoken Liberty, a charming and much needed second girl to join the male-dominated team. Liberty demonstrates her readiness to be on the Patrol with her intuitive observational skills, her courageous willingness to help, and her desire to make a difference. Chase has the biggest story arc -- just as he does on the show -- but all the pups have a moment to shine, a scene that lets them show off how they're pivotal and irreplaceable to the team. Families with young kids will enjoy all the ways the pups act as community helpers and, in the process, encourage and support one another too.