Latchis Arts brings back its popular Movies for Kids series on Sunday mornings starting in November and continuing January through March.

Kids – and their big people and everyone who is a kid-at-heart – are invited to showings of movies at the Latchis Theatre, 50 Main St., on Sundays at 11 a.m. Admission to the movies is by donation.

Movies for Kids will a monthly theme and offer both contemporary and older films that fit into that theme. The theme for November is Horses. The series starts with “Dreamer” on Nov. 5, at 11 a.m., followed on Nov. 12, by “The Derby Stallion,” “National Velvet” on Nov. 19, and “Spirit” on Nov. 26.

Last year, Movies for Kids drew more than 1,200 audience members of all ages. The program was initiated by Latchis Arts Board Member Jonathan Schwartz as a way to introduce young people and folks of all ages to great entertaining films, with admission by donation so that price would not be a barrier. The series quickly proved popular, with many families returning week after week. The November series theme of Horses was suggested by a family which came often to last year’s films.

“Dreamer” is a film from 2005, rated PG, that stars Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning. Inspired by a true story, it tells about Ben Crane, a gifted horse trainer who decides to devote his efforts to a horse named Sonny whose broken was believed to have ended its career. Ben’s daughter Cale is determined bring these two damaged souls together to win the Breeder’s Cup. Richard Roeper of Ebert and Roeper called it “a great family film.” “It’s a movie that will captivate children, yes, but it will also capture the hearts of grown-ups, too,” wrote David Cornelius of DVDTalk.com.

On Nov. 12 at 11 a.m., the series featured “The Derby Stallion,” a PG film from 2005 that starts young High School Music heartthrob Zac Effron as a boy who develops a sense of purpose and some new friends through an unlikely alliance with an aging musician who is trying to turn his horse into a winner. “The relationship between boy and mentor is touching, Effron is adorable, family values are applauded,” wrote Beth Johnson of Entertainment Weekly.

On Nov. 19, the series turns to a great classic, the 1944 heartwarmer that launched the career of then 11-year-old Elizabeth Taylor, starring alongside Mickey Rooney. Dejected following a serious accident, a trainer (Rooney) plans to steal from the family that has taken him in, but his resolve is weakened by the kindness of young Velvet (Taylor). They form a common bond in their love of horses, and together they strive to turn a horse believed to be untrainable into a champion. “This a charmer for boys and girls of all ages, with a captivating performance from the young Liz Taylor,” wrote Time Out. Emmanuel Levy said “Elizabeth Taylor, then 11, gives a compelling performance in what’s one of the most likeable and popular child-animal tales.”

November’s films conclude with “Spirit,” the 2002 G-Rated animated film that stars Matt Damon, as the voice of Spirit, a wild Mustang stallion living in the Old West who’s captured by horse traders and sold to a cavalry outfit, where a cruel colonel tries to tame him. But Spirit’s yearning to be free proves very strong. Laura King of the Chicago Tribune called it “a welcome family film that extols noble values and offers first-class animation.”

For more information, visit latchisarts.org or theatre.latchis.com.