This week, we’ll check out a new animated adventure about a super dog and a classic holiday retelling that balances humor and holiday spirit.
New Release
‘Charlie the Wonderdog’
A boy’s life changes when his abducted dog returns from space as the titular Charlie the Wonderdog (Owen Wilson) and suddenly possesses superpowers. Things turn urgent as Charlie’s new abilities pull them into dangers far larger than their everyday world.This comedy delivers a lively adventure with plenty of humor and colorful visuals. Owen Wilson’s performance gives Charlie an inviting personality, and the story leaves you entertained, while also encouraging belief in doing the right thing and helping others.
Animation | Comedy | Family
Release Date: Jan. 16, 2026
Director: Shea Wageman
Starring: Owen Wilson, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Tabitha St. Germain
Running Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Theaters
Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
Family Pick
‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’
Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is a joyless miser, scorning carols and charity alike, until Christmas Eve turns strange as three spirits drag him through memory, consequence, and an unwanted glimpse ahead, all framed by the Muppets stepping into Charles Dickens’s classic world.Caine plays Scrooge with seriousness while the Muppets encircle the story with humor. The delightful songs carry clear Christian values, and when the jokes ease back near the end, the payoff feels genuine, leaving it firmly among holiday essentials.
Family | Holiday | Musical
Release Date: Dec. 11, 1992
Director: Brian Henson
Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
Running Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Where to Watch: Fandango At Home, YouTube, Amazon
Rated: 4 stars out of 5
When Young Love Means Something
‘A Walk to Remember’
Rebellious student Landon Carter (Shane West) is forced into school obligations, where he meets Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), a minister’s daughter known for her firm beliefs. An unlikely bond forms, drawing Landon away from shallow habits as Jamie reveals a tragic secret.This one works because it lets sincerity do the heavy lifting and places its focus on courtship shaped by respect and patience, a rarity in teen romances. It reminds us that simple choices and faith can guide a life onto a better track.
Drama | Romance
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2002
Directors: Adam Shankman
Starring: Mandy Moore, Shane West, Peter Coyote
Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Hoopla, Fandango At Home, YouTube.
Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
Love and Duty on Foreign Ground
‘Sayonara’
Air Force Maj. Lloyd Gruver (Marlon Brando) arrives at a U.S. base in Japan and enforces military rules that ban relationships with local women, only to fall for one, Hana-Ogi (Miiko Taka), himself.I admire how this classic handles serious choices with a light touch, and Brando brings charm without unnecessary posturing, leaving a romance that knows how to smile.
Drama | Romance
Release Date: Jan. 31, 1958
Directors: Joshua Logan
Starring: Marlon Brando, Ricardo Montalban, Patricia Owens
Running Time: 2 hours, 27 minutes
Not Rated
Where to Watch: Tubi TV
Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
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