‘The Pout-Pout Fish’ Gets Animated Adaptation

Published: October 28, 2024

‘The Pout-Pout Fish’ Gets Animated Adaptation

By Movieguide® Contributor

“I’m a pout-pout fish with a pout-pout face, so I spread the dreary-wearies all over the place.”

That recurring line from Deborah Diesen’s award-winning book The Pout-Pout Fish tells the story of a fish with a very bad attitude, is coming to the big screen.

The preschool story-turned-movie will star Nick Offerman, Amy Sedaris, Nina Oyama, Jordin Sparks, Miranda Otto and Remy Hii.

The synopsis reads:

The POUT-POUT FISH is the story of an unlikely duo: Mr. Fish (Offerman), a pouty recluse, and Pip (Oyama), a high-energy sea dragon. When catastrophe strikes, they must embark on a daunting, undersea quest in search of a fabled mythical fish to grant their wish to save their homes. A seemingly impossible mission into the great unknown, their adventure is littered with infuriating roadblocks, unexpected dangers, dazzling wonders, irrepressible characters, and heart-pounding excitement. But the most turbulent territory lies inside, as our heroes come face to face with their greatest fears. Racing against them is a precocious teenage cuttlefish called Benji (Hii), as these subaquatic misfits call upon all the strength, friendships, and wisdom they’ve gained on their journeys to try to save the places that mean most to them.

The Pout-Pout Fish isn’t always negative, though. Through friendship and self-reflection, he eventually learns how to look on the brighter side of things and teaches children to do so too.

The book series has seen success for almost two decades now. Deadline said, “The Pout-Pout Fish book series, written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna, spans more than 40 titles and has sold more than 10 million copies since its release in 2008. The story was named by Time as one of the Ten Best Children’s Books of 2008 and received the Bank Street Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year.”

“Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading ‘dreary wearies’ isn’t really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that’s sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down,” the book series’ website states.

Cyma Zarghami and Madeira Ginley will produce the movie for Mimo Studios. The release is set for 2025.