FLICKS FILM AND VIDEO FILE : Playhouse Switch : Rob Reiner’s offbeat and lighthearted ‘The Princess Bride’ will sub for ‘Prancer’ Sunday in Ojai.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the movie “Prancer,” scheduled to be shown Sunday by the Ojai Film Society at the Ojai Playhouse, has been canceled. After all, the title character is probably pretty busy these days, hanging out with the likes of Comet and Blitzen, gearing up for the big delivery.

In place of “Prancer,” the film society will show the 1987 hit “The Princess Bride,” directed by Rob Reiner.

“Princess Bride” isn’t exactly in the same Christmas spirit, but it will do. As Mike Janover of the film society cited in the press release announcing the movie switch, “There isn’t a single Christmas tree, match girl or Santa-in-distress, and yet Princess Bride is the perfect holiday movie. . . . It’s brilliant! Better than Prancer. Better than most movies, ever. Remember, I told you so.”

Now, don’t you feel better?

This offbeat, lighthearted fairy tale, with screenplay and original story by William Goldman, tells of a prince and his attempts to save his true love. Show time is 4:30 p.m. The Playhouse is at 145 E. Ojai Ave. Admission is $6.

There’s no doubt about the Christmas theme at the Ray D. Prueter Library in Port Hueneme. Wednesday’s family film night features “Cosmic Christmas” and “Night Before Christmas.”

The first film tells the story of how a small town regains its holiday spirit thanks to some visitors from outer space. The latter film, set in the 1800s, takes a look at the traditional Clement C. Moore poem. Both films are animated. This double-feature will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The library is at 510 Park Avenue.