The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

In the dreamlike kingdom of Dor, a realm where the annual Royal Soup Day is the pinnacle of joy, a simple culinary disaster unfolds that shatters their tranquility. The eve of the spring festival sees the royal chef Andre, preparing his most tantalizing creation for his Queen. Yet, the celebrations curdle into dismay when Roscuro, a repugnant rat, wreaks havoc upon their feast. The crestfallen King, in his anguish, banishes all rats and soup from the kingdom, plunging Dor and its once-joyful citizens into a shadow of despair. However, in the neighboring Mouseland, a beacon of courage flickers. This hope comes in the form of Despereaux, a diminutive mouse with oversized ears who dares to defy the norms. Despite his size, which makes the world seem like a labyrinth of looming dangers, Despereaux is determined to rectify the sorrow that has befallen Dor. His heart, bold and untamed, refuses to let his dreams crumble under the weight of fear. Meanwhile, the castle harbors other unlikely heroes whose destinies intertwine with the fate of the kingdom. An unhappy rat yearns to escape the oppressive darkness of the dungeon, and a clumsy servant girl, noticeable for her cauliflower ears, dreams of a life beyond her mundane existence. Together, these misfits find their paths crossing with the castle's princess, their fates weaving into a tapestry of courage, adventure, and redemption. In this tale of bravery and resilience, 'The Tale of Despereaux' unravels a magical journey where size does not dictate courage and heroes come in the most unexpected forms. When the world appears bleak, it's the smallest creatures that muster the strength to bring back the light, one small, brave step at a time.

The Tale of Despereaux is an adventure movie featuring Matthew Broderick and directed by Robert Stevenhagen.

The Tale of Despereaux is currently streaming on Starz Apple TV Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Tale of Despereaux on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.