Many movies designed to entertain the entire family have been released this year, but here are my picks for the best of the bunch:

Sky High.  Although offering fast-paced action and impressive special effects, this fantasy movie about superheroes in training at a miraculous high school in the sky clearly focuses on teenage friendship and loyalty. It also sends a message that what makes a hero is what’s in his heart, not what’s on the outside. A family friendly movie with enough funny scenes and colorful characters to hold the interest of adults and youngsters alike, Sky High gets most of its laughs from tongue-in-cheek humor, especially Kurt Russell’s over-the-top portrayal of “the greatest superhero of them all.”

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story. An almost magical race horse brings a family together in this heartwarming film about courage, hard work and going the distance. Kurt Russell (again!) and Dakota Fanning deliver superb performances as a father and daughter who finally bond while nursing and training an injured thoroughbred. The plot may be predictable, but this movie is utterly irresistible and reminds us that chasing dreams might be as important as achieving them. 

Robots. In this amusing animated film, Rodney Copperbottom travels to Robot City to share his Wonderbot invention with Bigweld , the chief inventor of the land. Unfortunately, Bigweld isn’t easy to find, because a sleek silvery robot named Ratchet has taken over the company to please his evil mother who wants to stop robots from using spare parts for repairs and go for upgrades instead. Several fascinating robots help Rodney squash Ratchet’s nefarious plans, but Fender (voiced by Robin Williams), a robot falling apart in practically every scene, overpowers everyone with his fast-talking quips and humorous banter.         

Herbie: Fully Loaded. This delightful comeback for the beloved movie icon from the 1960s reminds us (like Dreamer) how important it is not to give up on our dreams. Whether racing through an auto junkyard, California city streets or a demolition arena, Herbie and Lindsay Lohan, who plays the whimsical VW Beetle’s new owner, take viewers along on their speedy and hilarious drives. Lohan brings her special comic timing to the role of a spirited young woman who wants to be a NASCAR driver and also just happens to be the only one who can help Herbie fulfill his destiny.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. If everyone had a dog like Gromit, the one in this unique British full-length cartoon, the world would be a happier place. Gromit watches over his owner Wallace with bemused care and is always there to help the naïve inventor out of difficult situations he gets himself into. But this time Gromit must work extra hard to defeat a creature Wallace has created in an experiment gone terribly wrong. The creature in question? A huge rabbit capable of devouring all the vegetables to be entered in the upcoming annual Giant Vegetables Contest. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit offers lots of fun for the whole family.

March of the Penguins. Listening to Morgan Freeman’s soothing voice as he narrates this stunning documentary provides a bit of warmth to its icy cold Antarctic setting where Emperor penguins struggle to live and love under unimaginable conditions. For thousands of years, these beautiful creatures have carried on a breeding ritual that involves hiking 70 miles to a nesting ground. Once there, each penguin finds a mate and engages in a touching courtship. When the egg is ready, the mother and father both share in its care. March of the Penguins is a spellbinding and enlightening film for viewers of all ages.

Mad Hot Ballroom. Showcasing the New York Public School’s successful ballroom dance competition for youngsters, this entertaining documentary proves how involved students can become in an activity if motivated by caring and dedicated teachers. It also reveals the positive behavior changes resulting from participating in a project that emphasizes social cooperation, discipline and elegance. Adding competition into the mix makes ballroom dancing a surefire recipe for success as an educational tool. And it’s such fun!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. This gorgeous movie version of C.S. Lewis’ famous children’s book takes your breath away with its spectacular sets and amazing special effects. Although the film is probably too long and frightening for very young children, most other moviegoers will be captivated while watching what happens to siblings who discover a strange land inhabited by talking animals, mythological creatures and one of the meanest witches imaginable. As a Christian allegory, the movie highlights prophecy, forgiveness and sacrifice while weaving cinematic magic throughout practically every scene.   

Five of the films mentioned above -- Sky High, Robots, Herbie: Fully Loaded, March of the Penguins and Mad Hot Ballroom -- are already available as Home Entertainment offerings. If you missed these excellent movies on the big screen, be sure to check them out on VHS or DVD.