The Pout-Pout Fish
March 24th, 2026
MOVIE: THE POUT-POUT FISH
STARRING: NICK OFFERMAN, MIRANDA OTTO, AMY SEDARIS, NINA OYAMA
DIRECTED BY: RICHARD CUSSÓ, RIO HARRINGTON
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 1 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 92 MINUTES
This past week, parents looking for a family-friendly theater option were treated to The Pout-Pout Fish, an adaptation of the Book by Deborah Diesen. The book has become something of a staple for many families, telling the story of a glum-looking fish who insists that while he may seem sad, it’s simply the way his face is. As is often the case, even modest success in children’s publishing can lead to a big-screen adaptation. Unfortunately, The Pout-Pout Fish fails to justify that leap, delivering standard animation and a story that may bore even the most energetic young viewers.
Directed by Richard Cussó and Rio Harrington, the film adheres to its source material for only the first few minutes before veering into a largely fabricated adventure that feels neither engaging nor coherent. Nick Offerman voices Mr. Fish, a perpetually dour flounder living in the wreckage of a pirate ship. His days are spent seeking peace through meditation and avoiding social interaction with the other sea creatures. His solitude is abruptly shattered when a seahorse named Pip, voiced by Nina Oyama, accidentally destroys his home, leaving him displaced. The two set off together in search of a mythical “shimmer fish,” voiced by Miranda Otto, said to grant wishes- in this case, a new place to live.
What follows is a rudimentary and predictable journey, complete with hostile dolphins, dark caves, and obligatory lessons about teamwork. Yet, despite these familiar elements, the film struggles to generate excitement or emotional investment.
On a personal note, I’ve read The Pout-Pout Fish to my son on several occasions, and it never left much of an impression on him. The decision to adapt it into a feature film already felt questionable. While this may not be the worst animated option currently in theaters, it often feels like a direct-to-streaming release, lacking both visual flair and creative energy.
Much like Harold and the Purple Crayon, the film strays from the spirit of its source material. What was once a simple, meaningful story about loneliness and self-acceptance is transformed into a generic imitation of Finding Nemo. The result is a 92-minute experience with few laughs and even fewer memorable moments.
Ironically, I watched The Pout-Pout Fish with my son, now a bit older, and he was bored from the start. That’s rarely a good sign for a children’s movie. Instead of leaving the theater uplifted, young audiences may find themselves wearing the same pout-pout expression as its main character- and not in a charming way.
1 ½ STARS
THE POUT-POUT FISH IS PLAYING IN THEATERS FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
