- Enchanted
- (Disney Home Entertainment, $17)
Disney's most endearing princess may be the one who literally breaks out of her fairy tale. Enchanted is that rare film that truly deserves the designation "all-ages entertainment." Perhaps that's why this relatively unassuming comedy became one of the biggest movie hits of the last holiday season. An animated Disney princess (a wide-eyed Amy Adams) ends up crossing worlds into a live-action New York City, where a fish-out-of-water story—à la Elf and Splash—plays out to an atypical fairy-tale ending (the square-jawed prince comes to the rescue, but things don't follow the usual formula from there). This movie both salutes and lampoons the fantasy-princess genre, and thereby plays to many parents' ambivalence toward such films. Thanks to clever writing and a cast of eminently likable characters (played by actors—including Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden—who are unafraid to embrace the over-the-topness of their roles), it's hard to watch Enchanted without cracking a smile.—Ages 2 and up
- Arctic Tale
- (Paramount, $27)
Queen Latifah's narration of this superb wildlife saga brings to life the polar-bear and walrus families you and your children will fall in love with. —Ages 2 and up
- Spellbound
- (Columbia TriStar, $10)
As suspenseful as any underdog sports film, this movie follows eight teens in the Scripps National Spelling Bee—some likable, others kind of annoying. And any of them could win. —Ages 2 to 7
- Aliens of the Deep
- (Buena Vista Home Entertainment, $27)
The real creatures in the darkest regions of the ocean are more mind-blowing than anything this movie's director, James Cameron, has dreamed up for his fictional films. —Ages 2 and up
- Mad Hot Ballroom
- (Paramount, $27)
The inner-city children practicing for an annual dance contest in this film have a very regular-kid feel. Be aware, though, that the movie is rated PG for their frank discussions of neighborhood violence and drugs.—Ages 8 and up
- Play with Me Sesame: Let's Play Games
- (Sony Wonder, $14)
Framed as a playdate, this Sesame Street spin-off gets kids counting pigeons with Bert and singing along with Prairie Dawn. —Ages up to 4
- Wonder Pets! Save the Beetles
- (Nick Jr., $12)
The singing superheroes never fail to entertain their preschool fans; this special also entices parents with clever Fab Four references. —Ages 2 and up
- Horton Hears a Who!
- (Warner Home Video, $15)
The remake may have all the attention, but the no-frills Horton in this 1970 original is among the most earnest and endearing heroes ever. —Ages 2 and up
