We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (2017): Benjamin Renner & Patrick Imbert, directors

What’s it about?

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales is a series of three shorts strung together and presented as a stage play put on by the various (farm animal) characters. The first two of the shorts – “A Baby to Deliver” and “The Big Bad Fox” – are based on Benjamin Renner’s graphic novels. (Renner is also the Academy Award-nominated director of 2012’s Ernest & Celestine.)

Those books were originally published in French, but The Big Bad Fox has been published in English by First Second Press. And is utterly charming and absolutely worth reading. (Check out our review here.)

All three shorts were created as half-hour TV specials, so the film is a compilation of the three stories with the addition of the stage play conceit to tie them all together.

All three focus on a group of farm animals – specifically, a dog, duck, rabbit, pig, and fox (even though he’s from outside the farm). The chickens, a wolf, and other animals also factor it, but the stories mostly center on those five characters.

I kind of don’t want to give a synopsis of the shorts since they really should be watched and experienced without spoilers of any kind. I knew the story of “The Big Bad Fox” since I’d read the book, but I went into the other two shorts totally blind. And I’m glad I did.

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales is utterly delightful and one of the most charming, hilarious, and rewatchable kids movies I’ve seen in years.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

The source material and original film are French, but it doesn’t include any specific French cultural references that might be lost on young audiences. As long as you understand the stereotypical relationships among farm animals, you should be good to go.

The Shout! Factory Blu-ray release has both the original French audio and an English dub. This is one of the rare instances where I’d actually recommend either. For my money, the original language will always be preferable, but the English-speaking cast here does an incredible job, and both versions of the film are equally enjoyable.

Will my kids like it?

Almost certainly. Like I said, this is one of the all-around best kids movies I’ve seen in years. Both of my kids adored The Big Bad Fox graphic novel, so we’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this film in the States.

Will I like it?

Unless you hate joy.

Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

Not really “objectionable,” per se, but characters in the “Saving Christmas” segment of the film mention several times that Santa isn’t real. So just be warned if that’s a conversation you’d rather not have. Other than that, there’s nothing inappropriate or objectionable for any age.

How can I see it?

The GKIDS and Shout Factory Blu-ray release recently came out, and it’s got a small selection of special features (all in English), including an interview with the directors,  making-of featurette, a Q&A session at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, and trailers. It’s available from all the usual outlets, including Amazon.

Final word?

Just watch it. The stories are equally hilarious, joyful, and heartwarming. Be warned, though, you’re bound to come away from the film wanting to see more of Benjamin Renner’s work. And to date, only The Big Bad Fox is available in an English edition.