2009 was a great year for movies, including family-friendly children’s movies! Whether you fell in love with chubby, industrious Russell in Disney • Pixar’s “Up” (one of the best movies from the lot) or renewed your crush on Alvin and the Chipmunks, or rooted for the Monsters in “Monsters vs. Aliens,” you’re bound to have a favorite children’s movie from this past year… even if you didn’t take the kids! In case you missed any, here’s my list of the ten best children’s movies from 2009.

1. Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

Director: Betty Thomas
Cast: Zachary Levi, Justin Long, Jason Lee, David Cross, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, and Wendy Malick

I admit it: I thought this movie was going to be horrible. When my daughter asked me to take her to see it, I rolled my eyes and reluctantly agreed. The previews made it look wretched, and the soundtrack was even worse. But, and I hesitate to type this publicly, it really wasn’t bad. After a back-stage accident leaves Dave hospitalized, the Chipmunks enroll in school, and are asked to compete in a Battle of the Bands. Three of their biggest little fans, the Chipettes, are set to compete against them, but in the end, they discover they work better together.

2. Astro Boy

Director: David Bowers
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Kristen Bell, Samuel L. Jackson, Charlize Theron, Bill Nighy, and Freddie Highmore

Loosely based on the first real Japanese anime series, Astro Boy tells the story of a robot-boy who was built by a grieving father who lost his only son. It’s sort of a Pinocchio story in reverse. Astro doesn’t know he’s not a real boy until a near-accident reveals some of his cool, robot “features.” While it wasn’t a huge success at the box office, I enjoyed it, as did the three pre-teen boys I took with me to see it. I was a little annoyed with the political messages and the preachy tone, but the boys and I loved the robotic mayhem and chases.