VIVA KIDS ACQUIRES ANIMATED FILM THE POUT-POUT FISH
FOR WIDE THEATRICAL RELEASE IN
Los Angeles, CA — September 11, 2025 — Viva Kids has acquired its latest animated film, The Pout-Pout Fish, produced by Like A Photon Creative and MIMO Studios, with a wide theatrical release in North America slated for March 20, 2026. The film, a tale of two aquatic misfits on an impossible journey to save their home, is based on the New York Times bestselling children’s book series written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna. Published by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, the book series has sold more than 10 million copies and been translated into countless languages. It was named a Top Ten Children’s Book by TIME Magazine.
In the film adaptation, Emmy winner Nick Offerman leads an ensemble voice cast that also features Nina Oyama, SAG Award winner Miranda Otto, Remy Hii, with Grammy nominee Jordin Sparks and Emmy nominee Amy Sedaris. The film is directed by Ricard Cussó and co-directed by Rio Harrington and was written by Elise Allen, Elie Choufany and Dominic Morris.
The Pout-Pout Fish is the hilarious and heartwarming story of an unlikely duo: Mr. Fish (Offerman) a pouty introvert and Pip (Oyama) an energetic sea dragon, who embark on a daunting quest to find a legendary fish to grant their wish to save their homes.
“The Pout-Pout Fish has been cherished in classrooms and homes around the world, teaching lessons of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery to an entire generation,” said Victor Elizalde, CEO of Viva Pictures. “Bringing this beloved story to theaters reflects Viva’s commitment to championing iconic IP and delivering bold, franchise-worthy animation. With its educational legacy, global readership, and stunning adaptation for the big screen, The Pout-Pout Fish is poised to inspire audiences everywhere.”
“The Pout-Pout Fish began as a single book and has since grown into a global franchise embraced by readers, educators, and families everywhere,” said Jen Besser, President and Publisher at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. “The film marks an exciting step in expanding the world of The Pout-Pout Fish beyond publishing and onto the big screen.”
“From the first draft and designs, The Pout-Pout Fish had us hooked. We’re thrilled to see buyers worldwide share our love for this unlikely duo — a pouty loner and a high-energy sea dragon,” said Sola Media’s Managing Director, Solveig Langeland. “Viva is the perfect partner for a wide U.S. release, and we’re confident they’ll reach the large North American audience that already loves the bestselling book.”
The Pout-Pout Fish is 89 minutes.
The deal was negotiated by Victor Elizalde for Viva Pictures and Solveig Langeland for Sola Media.
The Pout-Pout Fish is produced by Australian-based production company Like A Photon Creative, MIMO Studios and Macmillan Publishers, who also financed.
Produced with the assistance of The Post Lounge Pty Ltd. Financed by Alceon Entertainment Partners Pty Ltd. Production Financing Arranged by Eclectik Vision Capital Pty Ltd. Post Production, Digital and Visual Effects work undertaken in Queensland, Australia with funding from Screen Queensland. Produced by MIMO Studios. Produced by Like A Photon Creative. © 2025 Like A Photon Creative Pty Ltd.
About Viva Pictures
Viva Pictures is a leading independent film production studio and all rights distributor dedicated to delivering world-class family entertainment to global audiences. With a diverse portfolio of animated films and original films in production, Viva Pictures strives to captivate and engage viewers, fostering a love for storytelling and cinema for all ages. Recent successes include The Amazing Maurice, which Viva debuted at the Sundance Film Festival before its wide theatrical release, Night of the Zoopocalypse, and HITPIG, which played on over 2,000 screens nationwide. Upcoming wide releases include Pets on a Train in theaters October 17 and Grand Prix of Europe in theaters November 7. In addition, Viva Pictures has an equity interest in the 3D animation studio 3Doubles Producciones and continues to develop a slate of new productions. Viva Pictures also owns Kidsflix, a kid-safe, parent-friendly FAST channel and destination to stream free movies and TV series. Kidsflix is available on iTunes, Google Play, Roku, and major TV brands worldwide.
For more information, visit vivafilmco.com.
https://www.vivafilmco.com/
Facebook: @vivakidsfilms
Instagram: @vivakidsfilms
YouTube: @vivapictures
About Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group is comprised of eleven imprints: Balzer + Bray, Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, Feiwel and Friends, First Second, Godwin Books, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Odd Dot, Neon Squid, Priddy Books, Roaring Brook Press, and Square Fish. These imprints are home to award-winning, New York Times–bestselling authors, including Madeleine L’Engle, Natalie Babbitt, Leigh Bardugo, Gene Luen Yang, Tomi Adeyemi, Marissa Meyer, Eric Carle, Nick Bruel, Loren Long, Angeline Boulley, Nancy Tillman, John Patrick Green, George M. Johnson, Eoin Colfer, and hundreds more popular authors and illustrators. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group is proud to publish many of the classics of children’s literature, including A Wrinkle in Time, Tuck Everlasting, The Black Cauldron, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; numerous modern classic titles, including Speak, On the Night You Were Born, and We Are Water Protectors; and series including Bad Kitty, InvestiGators, and Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels.