This year, Disney celebrates 100 years. A great part of that rich legacy is Disney animated features. Fittingly, in this anniversary year, we get a beautiful tribute to that legacy in the form of an original story with engaging songs and a beautiful story. That film is Wish, which opens wide on Wednesday, just in time for a long Thanksgiving weekend.

Once upon a time, Cinderella sang that, “a wish is a dream your heart makes.” This new film takes that idea and builds upon it through Asha (Ariana DeBose), a talented young dreamer in the Kingdom of Rosas. The Kingdom was founded by Magnifico (Chris Pine), a talented magician, and his wife Amaya (Angelique Cabral). Magnifico has the power to grant wishes and purports to create a haven of safety and dreaming for all.

His own backstory is traumatic, which seems to have informed Magnifico’s mission. As residents join the community, or turn 18, they make a wish of their heart and give it to Magnifico. He keeps them all safe, granting wishes to those in the kingdom along the way. Asha has the opportunity to interview as Magnifico’s apprentice and as she learns more about the wishes and his role in safeguarding them, she becomes concerned.

Asha comes to realize that in losing their wishes, the people of Rosas are losing something fundamental to themselves. Soon, she makes a wish on a star that changes her life and her kingdom forever.

There’s a fundamental question in this film—is it better to hold on to our dreams and strive, even though they may not come true or to surrender them for a life of safety. The answer from the film is clear but the question and that journey really bring life and energy to this story.

The voice cast is strong. I loved DeBose as Asha, and I enjoyed Alan Tudyk as Valentino, her boisterous talking goat. Pine is great as the antagonist and the rest of the supporting voices add depth to the story. The music here works well, too. The songs catch you and bring out the depth and emotion of the story, particularly the main anthem that is repeated in a couple different forms.

This is a film that’s beautifully crafted with an emotional story that will appeal to audiences of all ages. There are also loving tributes to the history of Disney animation both in parts of the film and over the end credits. I also found that moving.

I’ve enjoyed a number of Disney animated features over the years, and this is one that will join those ranks. It’s a fun journey and one of my favorite animated films of the year. It’s a perfect family-friendly outing this Thanksgiving weekend.

Wish opens Wednesday in theaters nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.