The Pout-Pout Fish is a 2026 animated comedy film directed by Ricard Cussó and written by Elise Allen, Elie Choufany, and Dominic Morris, based on the children's book by Deborah Diesen. It is an international co-production between Australia and United States and features the voices of Nick Offerman, Nina Oyama, Miranda Otto, Remy Hii, Mark Coles Smith, Nazeem Hussain, Jordin Sparks, and Amy Sedaris. The film was released theatrically on January 1, 2026 in Australia and on March 20, 2026 in the United States. It received mixed reviews from critics.
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Plot
Mr. Fish lives in a coral reef society. Described as glum and gloomy, he meets baby sea dragon Pip at his shipwreck home. Pip needs help expanding her home to accommodate for her hundreds of siblings. At first, Mr. Fish declines, but changes his mind after both his and Pip's homes are destroyed. Instead of rebuilding, Pip suggests they visit Shimmer, a mysterious, wish-granting fish.
Underneath the reef is an abyss home to a pod of cuttlefish, led by their leader Marin, who is in danger of being cut off from the sun due to kelp growth and will soon be forced to relocate. Benji, her son, does not wish to leave, deciding to seek out Shimmer as well. This puts both Benji and Mr. Fish in a race to find Shimmer, as it is rumored that she can only fulfill one wish every few years.
