THE POUT-POUT FISH – Review by Susan Kamyab
Based on the bestselling series of children’s books by Deborah Diesen, The Pout-Pout Fish is a heartwarming, animated underwater adventure that is sure to turn anyone’s frown upside down.
The film stars Nick Offerman, Nina Oyama, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. Offerman voices Mr. Fish, who always carries a pout on his face because he has been taught to avoid strangers all his life, isolating himself from the world. Suddenly, his quiet, loneliness is interrupted by a sea dragon named Pip. He accidentally destroys her home and reluctantly agrees to help her find a wish-granting fish named Shimmer, who might be able to help her create a new home for her soon-to-be very large family. However, Pip and Mr. Fish need to find her before Benji, a cuddle fish, does first and uses up her one wish for his own purposes.
This is a short and sweet kid friendly film with a beautiful message about self-perception and how we can sometimes trap ourselves with negative labels that lead us to be unnecessarily guarded. But when treated with kindness, we can see the best in ourselves and that compassion can ripple throughout a whole community. The moral is simple and well executed on screen during its breezy hour and half runtime. The film is very much geared towards a young audience, but adults will also appreciate the vivid animation and the main character’s depth. Offerman is perfectly cast with his dry humor and bitter, unamused voice as Mr. Fish. His story arch is authentic and moving.
The Pout-Pout Fish“may not stand out among various other “fish out of water” tales. Less is more when it comes to this story. The film has the right amount of humor and is a positive deep dive into a message about finding the best in others, even if they are different from you, and “looking for the light even in the darkest places.” Through a united community, it is possible to make any wish come true. The whole family should “sea” this aquatic quest on the big screen.
The Pout-Pout Fish opens in theaters March 20, 2026.
