Arthur the King

There's nothing better than a good story about a great dog, and Arthur's tale warms the soul. But while the marketing campaign suggests that Arthur the King has a light tone, the film actually deals with some pretty grown-up stuff, including failure, career humiliation, marriage, and money woes. It spends quite a bit of time setting up Michael's situation, only offering a quick peek of the pup in the first third of the film—which may be hard for impatient kids. Additionally, Arthur has been severely abused, and even if you know how the story ends, it's an emotional journey that may overwhelm children.

But for families who can handle potential fidgeting and some teary moments early in the film, the second half will be a wonderful reward. Michael's story isn't well known, adventure racing is a survival sport, and many dog movies end sadly, so the movie is able to build real suspense. Director Simon Cellan Jones is in full control, making sure that viewers will be holding their breath when the team is in trouble and then releasing the tension at exactly the right time. It's clear from the beginning that Michael is a good guy, but he needs to work on some things. And he does, growing into a better person and leader in front of our eyes. He and his team are impressive athletes: Their ability to dig deep, run faster, climb higher, hold tighter, and fearlessly face the unknown while dealing with injuries on no sleep is completely inspiring. But it ultimately all comes down to street mutt Arthur: how he looks out for the team, and how they look out for him. This true story is so special and wonderful that you and your kids may never look at a dog the same way again.