The Tale of Despereaux 1-Disc Box Set DVD

The Tale of Despereaux is an animated feature from 2008 drawn from the broader source children's novel that follows a small mouse named Despereaux with unusually large ears, a sense of courage far bigger than his frame, and an unlikely friendship with a princess that pulls him into the elaborate political intrigue of a kingdom where soup has been outlawed. The tone keeps the warm storybook adventure register of the broader source novel while leaning into its more reflective coming-of-age beats about courage and the broader meaning of being a hero. Watching it feels like a heartfelt animated chapter book delivered with care.