The Pout-Pout Fish movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: The Pout-Pout Fish

This colorful, family-friendly film premiered in theaters on March 20, 2026.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 92 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

The movie is based on the popular preschool book franchise The Pout-Pout Fish, written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna.

Check out the cute board book on Amazon at https://amzn.to/41oTIz6 

IN A NUTSHELL:

This cute underwater adventure follows the famously “weary, dreary” Mr. Fish (voiced by the perfectly deadpan Nick Offerman). When a bubbly sea dragon named Pip accidentally causes both of their homes to be destroyed, the unlikely duo sets off on a quest to find Shimmer, a legendary fish rumored to grant wishes. Along the way, they learn that while you can’t always change your face, you can certainly change your outlook!

The movie is based on the popular preschool book franchise The Pout-Pout Fish, written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna. The original children’s book, which debuted in 2008 as a New York Times bestseller, is a 30-page picture book known for its repetitive, catchy rhymes about a gloomy fish who believes he is destined to spread the “dreary-wearies” wherever he goes. For the 2026 feature film, the simple story was significantly expanded.

The film was directed by Ricard Cusso and Rio Harrington.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Mild Action & Peril: There are scenes involving a “traumatic” home destruction, scary jellyfish stings, and some fish with very sharp teeth that might startle very young viewers. While the book is for tiny tots, the movie has some darker moments, including cuttlefish “hypnotizing” others, and some intense chase sequences.

• Bullying Themes: A trio of “Mean Girls” dolphins make some rude comments about Mr. Fish’s appearance (specifically his lips) that might require a quick chat with the kiddos about kindness.

• The “Drug-Like” Scene: One scene shows Mr. Fish acting quite loopy after a jellyfish sting, which some parents might find a bit odd for a kids’ flick.

• Subsititute Profanity: Instead of actually using inappropriate language, creative substitutes are spoken by various characters. For example, we hear things like “Oh, for the love of blub, blub, blub.”

THEMES:

• Friendship and teamwork

• Emotional intelligence and self-expression

• Persistence and “internal fortitude”

• The power of community

• Looking for the good in others
• Looking on the bright side of life

THINGS I LIKED:

• The Voice Cast: Nick Offerman is absolute perfection as the grumpy Mr. Fish, and Jordin Sparks brings a lovely grace to Shimmer. You might also recognize the voices of Amy Sedaris, Miranda Otto, and Remy Hii.

• Vibrant Animation: It is a feast for the eyes! The colors are bright and popping, which will definitely keep the little ones glued to the screen. The animation team did a great job reinventing the underwater world with entertaining characters and a vibrant landscape.

• Positive Messages: I loved the takeaway that happiness is a choice and that we all have the power to change our own story.

• Parental “Winks”: There are plenty of pop-culture references (including a funny Mean Girls nod!) to keep the adults from nodding off.

• Humor: While the majority of the movie is targeted to young children, there were a few jokes and gags that made me laugh out loud.
• Keep watching: You’ll be tempted to just end the movie as soon as the final credits start rolling, but keep watching (or fast-forward) to the end of the credits for another cute scene!
• Thanks: At the end of the movie, we see a title card that states, “Like a Photon Creative would like to acknowledge the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples as the traditional custodians of Meanjin where The Pout-Pout Fish was produced.”

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Meandering Plot: The simple charm of the board book gets a little lost in some convoluted subplots that might go over children’s heads.

• A Bit Overwhelming: At times, the “fast and flashy” action feels like it’s trying a little too hard to be the next Finding Nemo. I love that movie so much. The ending brings me to tears every time. This movie has a LOT going on…sometimes too much, at times. Parents may find it exhausting.

• Confusing “Surgery” Jokes: The dolphin scene where they ask Mr. Fish “where he got his lips done” felt a little out of place for a G-rated vibe.

• Characters: While some of the sea creatures are fun, others are annoying. Disney and Pixar have been able to create movies that appeal to both children and their parents, which is quite a feat. This movie feels more like something you would find on Netflix and have your kids watch while you quickly try to clean the house or cook dinner.

FUNNY LINES:

• “Blub… bluuub… bluuuuub.” (Mr. Fish trying—and failing—to find his zen)

• “You were not born with those!” (The dolphins obsessing over Mr. Fish’s pouty lips)

• “It’s not going to happen!” (Another cheeky Mean Girls reference from the dolphins)

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Just because she looks different than other fish does not make her a magical being.”

• “The power to make wishes come true lies inside of you.”

• “Keep looking for light, even in the darkest of places.”

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Finding Nemo: https://amzn.to/4mnaecL    

• Shark Tale:  https://amzn.to/3QsXO6Y

• Finding Dory:  https://moviereviewmom.com/finding-dory-has-the-awwww-factor/ 

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