Film

Nick Offerman’s New Kids Movie Is Great For Families (And Currently Has A Wild RT Score)

19 March 2026

Animated films for all ages can feel like a constant stream of content, but there are always pleasant surprises to be found — like The Pout-Pout Fish starring Nick Offerman, which currently boasts a very high Rotten Tomatoes critic score. The low-key animated film is landing in theaters somewhat under the radar.

Releasing against broader appealing competition like Project Hail Mary and Ready or Not 2, the little kid appeal of The Pout-Pout Fish makes it an ideal counter-programming to the more mature content coming to the big screen. Especially with younger audiences, though, The Pout-Pout Fish is a winner.

The Pout-Pout Fish Is An Adorable All-Ages Animated Movie

The Pout-Pout Fish may not be the most complex film in the world, but the cute Nick Offerman-led animated film has enough colorful charm to work great for younger audiences. Based on the children’s book series of the same name, the film follows Offerman’s titular Pout-Pout Fish.

Offerman’s character is a perpetually grumpy loner who ends up traveling across the ocean with a perky seadragon in search of a magical wish. There’s plenty of light morals and goofy characters they meet along the way, all playing into a broad but sweet message about being open to other people.

For audiences familiar with basic story structure, there aren’t a lot of unexpected twists or turns in the film. However, there’s a softer edge and a portrayal of unintentional cultural conflict that has a bit more depth than the standard “villains are evil because they’re evil” characters that younger audiences often get saddled with.

Instead, there’s a quiet subtext of limited resources and dwindling natural space, forcing conflict that gives the movie a deeper thematic touch. The brightly colored characters and their perky personalities (often in direct contrast to Pout-Pout, both for comedic and dramatic effect) benefit from a silly portrayal that nevertheless never loses sight of the lighter aspects of the characters.

The goofy aspects of the story serve as some lighthearted distractions that rely more on character beats and specific comedy than pop culture references or self-aware comedy. It’s a throwback kids movie in a lot of ways, and that’s not necessarily a problem. In fact, that authenticity to a tonal presentation pays off.

In the same vein as memorable kids’ films like FernGully: The Last Rainforest, there’s an underlying sweetness to the execution that makes the film enjoyable. While it doesn’t share much in common with fellow animated kids’ film GOAT, both movies share an embrace of familiar tropes but benefit from a genuine, heartfelt approach.

The Pout-Pout Fish Currently Has A Great Rotten Tomatoes Score

The Pout-Pout Fish is not revolutionary, but it’s not trying to be. There’s an episodic approach that pays off with a consistent string of light-hearted scenes and comedic beats. It pays off in a quickly entertaining (and surprisingly unsettling) climax that doesn’t lose sight of that human core of the (admittedly undersea) characters.

That sentiment is what elevates The Pout-Pout Fish, and explains why the film currently has a 87% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. None of the critics who’ve reviewed have necessarily gushed about the film in the same way many did with the more emotionally complex fare like Inside Out 2 or broader cartoon blockbusters like KPop Demon Hunters.

However, there’s a general consensus that the movie benefits from a soft palette, a goofy sense of comedy, and a retro approach to good morals that don’t feel like they’re necessarily preaching to the audience. Even the negative reviews note how easily the film appeals to younger audiences.

The Pout-Pout Fish is a simple and sweet film, which actually makes it perfect for younger audiences who are still looking for stuff akin to Bluey. The Pout-Pout Fish takes that approach and nails the execution, delivering a well-worn moral with enough color and charm to be a good time for kids who just want to watch a lighthearted movie.