This is the kind of holiday special you put on while decorating the tree or waiting for cookies to bake—pleasant, clever enough to keep parents engaged, and totally safe for any age. The 'elite elf unit' concept is genuinely fun and gives the Christmas mythos a modern, Mission: Impossible-lite spin.

It's not going to change anyone's life, but it's well-executed seasonal comfort food from Disney. The 22-minute runtime is clutch—you get the warm fuzzies without the commitment of a full movie. Animation holds up reasonably well for 2009, and the themes of teamwork and finding meaning in your work are solid without being preachy.

Perfect for: families looking for a quick, quality holiday watch that isn't Elf for the 47th time. It spawned a sequel, which tells you it resonated with audiences. Not essential viewing, but a genuinely pleasant addition to your December rotation.