THE POUT-POUT FISH movie poster | ©2026 Viva Kids Films

Rating: PG
Stars (voices): Nick Offerman, Nina Oyama, Miranda Otto, Remy Hii, Jordin Sparks, Amy Sedaris, Mark Coles Smith, Nazeem Hussain, Mel Buttle, Bessie Holland, Christopher James Baker, Grant Denyer
Writers: Elise Allen, Elie Choufany and Dominic Morris, based on the book series THE POUT-POUT FISH by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna
Director: Ricard Cussó, co-director, Rio Harrington
Distributor: Viva Kids
Release Date: March 20, 2026

THE POUT-POUT FISH has been adapted for film from the book series of the same name by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna. The movie, directed by Ricard Cussó, co-directed by Rio Harrington, and scripted by Elise Allen, Elie Choufany and Dominic Morris, is an animated undersea adventure, starring a host of marine creatures.

Grown-up viewers may feel some hope at first when, after a rhyming voiceover introduction, we see the fish who reside within the reef reading magazines such as THE NEW ORCA (the pun makes sense when you see it and say it out loud) and MANATEE FAIR.

Alas, it turns out that these are among the few concessions made to older folks.

Although most of the reef’s fish are upbeat and neighborly, Mr. Fish (voiced by Nick Offerman) is so gloomy that everyone else is constantly urging him to cheer up and smile. This wears on his nerves so much that Mr. Fish puts up a “Keep Out” sign by the door of the wrecked ship where he lives.

The sign does not deter Pip (voiced by Nina Oyama), a perky little sea dragon. When Pip starts moving around Mr. Fish’s belongings, she accidentally causes his ship to fall onto her parents’ home below.

Thankfully, no one is hurt, but Pip blames Mr. Fish. Curiously, he accepts that blame. This doesn’t make sense but never mind.

Pip is worried that her parents, expecting three or four hundred new babies at any moment, need a new home. A late bloomer who stayed behind when her siblings went off into the world, Pip is also concerned that her parents may be too preoccupied with their coming offspring to pay any attention to her.

Pip eventually convinces Mr. Fish to help her find the legendary Shimmer (voiced by Jordin Sparks, who also contributes a song), a fish believed to grant wishes, so that Pip’s family dwelling can be restored.

At the same time, the cuttlefish in the abyss below are having their own crisis. Benji (voiced by Remy Hii), son of cuttlefish leader Marin (voiced by Miranda Otto), also sets off in search of Shimmer to see if she can grant his wish to save the cuttlefish home.

There is reassurance in THE POUT-POUT FISH for children fretting about new siblings, and perfectly valid messages about the value of friendship, reciprocity and ways to achieve things.

It’s just that these messages are framed in a way that makes them mainly suited to those hearing them for the first time, i.e., small kids.

The animation is middling, with attractive bright colors, but logic-defying shapes. Fish look more or less like fish. Mr. Fish appears to be a grouper, but an octopus looks like a human with four arms, whales are round, and people unfamiliar with sea dragons are likely to be baffled by what Pip is meant to be.

The target audience may also be alarmed by a mean-girl trio of pink dolphins, who go from friendly to menacing (with big teeth and chasing the main characters) and back again.

THE POUT-POUT FISH may appeal to young ones entranced by aquariums and patient adult fans of Nick Offerman. Just go in prepared for something that feels more like a long, pointed Saturday morning cartoon than FINDING NEMO.

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