The holidays came early for many moviegoers over the festive Thanksgiving break.

Once “Twilight” cravings were tamed, a few nostalgic detours were in order. Now, if audiences weren’t salivating over a piece of juicy turkey or a shirtless Taylor Lautner, what could they possibly be all worked up about?

From singing puppets to epic adventures through cinematic history, there was and still is plenty of lively family entertainment to appease even the most eclectic crowds.

‘The Muppets’

Who could forget about Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog and the rest of the wonderfully distinct “Muppets” characters?

For the people who grew up on shows such as “Sesame Street” and “Fraggle Rock,” and even those who did not, director James Bobin’s hysterical film “The Muppets” offers reason for celebration. With the loyal assistance of the charming Amy Adams and Jason Segel, the Muppet gang was reunited after years of separation.

To save their famous musical theater from demolition at the grips of an evil oilman named Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), Kermit and Miss Piggy must put on The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever to salvage their historical foundation.

Full of sunny, self-reflexive humor, lovable performances and joyous melodies, “The Muppets” will melt the hearts of any generation.

‘Hugo’

Legendary director Martin Scorsese stunned audiences with his collection of gangster films such as “Goodfellas” (1990), “Casino” (1995) and “The Departed” (2006).

However, few knew he would be capable of crafting the enchanting children’s epic “Hugo” without an ounce of bloodshed. Filled with wonderment and invention, the film chronicles the journey of a precocious young boy named Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) as he strives to complete the final touches of his late father’s unique creation.

Living in the confines of a Paris train station in the early 1900s, Hugo befriends a bright, young girl named Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), the goddaughter of none other than George Melies (Ben Kingsley).

Simmering with passion, emotion and imagination, “Hugo” is an instant classic and glorious love letter to the birth of cinema.

‘Arthur Christmas’

For those who are counting the days before Christmas, the heartwarming “Arthur Christmas” is a sweet, thoughtful and memorable holiday treat with a lovable hero.

The film puts a whole new spin on the mechanics of the North Pole, presenting it as a systematic, tech-savvy secret operation that must be frequently monitored and maintained.

When Santa’s (Jim Broadbent) plucky, ambitious son Arthur (James McAvoy) is given a daunting task to complete by Christmas Eve, the fate of the holiday lies in his hands.

All this makes for a visual treat with voice work from McAvoy, Broadbent, Joan Cusack and Eva Longoria.

Laron Chapman is a film and media studies senior.