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My Penguin Friend

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for My Penguin Friend PG 2024 1h 37m Kids & Family Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 250+ Verified Ratings
A sweeping family adventure, My Penguin Friend is a triumphant tale of friendship between a lonely father and a little lost penguin who recharges his spirit and heals his family with an unshakable, ocean-crossing loyalty. Humble fisherman João (international star Jean Reno) has turned away from the world in the wake of tragedy. But when he discovers a penguin drifting alone in the ocean, drenched in oil from a spill, his first instinct is to help. To his wife's (Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza) dismay, he not only rescues the sea creature, but takes the flightless bird under his wing. For the first time in years João starts to feel joy, even if he cannot fathom just how unbreakable a bond is being formed. When the penguin suddenly disappears back into the immense wilds of the ocean, João believes it is impossible that he will ever see his friend again. But thousands of miles away, the penguin is caught in misadventures of his own, determined to use his unique GPS-like powers to find his way back to the place he now considers home. Based on an emotional true story that riveted the world and filmed on the spectacular coasts of Brazil and Argentina, My Penguin Friend is a tale that traverses the magic of the ocean, the beauty of nature, and the transformative power of love.

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My Penguin Friend

My Penguin Friend

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Critics Consensus

Pairing the ever-reliable Jean Reno with a scene-stealing feathered co-star to winning effect, My Penguin Friend mostly coasts by on charm -- which is not in short supply.

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Critics Reviews

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Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com 08/20/2024
My Penguin Friend is an utterly likable and disarming film. It’s clear that this is one instance where the words “inspired by a true story” are not just movie marketing hyperbole. Go to Full Review Kate Erbland IndieWire 08/16/2024
B-
The real story of Joao and Dindim was always good enough for a big screen version, and while “My Penguin Friend” might inflate some parts of this particular fish tale, the result is the same: true feeling and a cute little guy to help share them. Go to Full Review Christy Lemire RogerEbert.com 08/16/2024
3/4
It’s an earnest, crowd-pleasing family film – nothing snarky or self-referential, no on-the-nose needle drops - just a sweet, beautifully made movie that earns the emotion it’ll surely draw from its viewers. Go to Full Review John Serba Decider 02/18/2025
This sweet little movie won’t change your life, but as a story about people – and animals! – whose lives were changed for the better, it will warm your heart a little. Go to Full Review Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice 12/23/2024
5/5
A heart-warming true story of a fisherman who rescues a penguin and is rewarded with annual visits from his friend for years. Go to Full Review Sean P. Means The Movie Cricket 09/30/2024
2.5/4
“My Penguin Friend” is a harmless enough diversion for kids, a throwback to the cheaply produced live-action “Wonderful World of Disney” entries of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Just don’t believe half of what’s in it. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stacey K 03/05/2025 This was such a sweet, touching story. I absolutely loved it. I've told I don't know how many people about this penguin. it's just fascinating. very fascinating! God is great and his creations are wondrous. See more BRENT SIMON 10/02/2024 This was a nice, cute & charming film. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartwarming stories. See more Shannon 09/15/2024 This movie was phenomenal. The whole family absolutely loved it. See more Jack L 09/13/2024 Good story but could have been made better. It wasn't clear to my wife or me that the old man was the water and that many years had passed. See more Anne O 09/08/2024 Wonder photography. Sweet story See more Jose A 09/08/2024 Great cinematography and story. I loved the script - dialogue was on point without being sappy. See more Read all reviews
My Penguin Friend

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Cast & Crew

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David Schurmann

Director

Jean Reno

João

Adriana Barraza

Maria

Nicolás Francella

Carlos

Alexia Moyano

Adriana

Rocío Hernández

Stephanie

Movie Clips

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My Penguin Friend

My Penguin Friend: Movie Clip - Hurry Up My Penguin Friend: Movie Clip - Hurry Up 0:32 My Penguin Friend: Exclusive Movie Clip - Dindim Visits the Village My Penguin Friend: Exclusive Movie Clip - Dindim Visits the Village 1:28 View more videos

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My Penguin Friend

My Penguin Friend: Featurette - A Penguin's POV My Penguin Friend: Featurette - A Penguin's POV 1:59 My Penguin Friend: Featurette - A Global Story My Penguin Friend: Featurette - A Global Story 3:15 My Penguin Friend: Trailer 1 My Penguin Friend: Trailer 1 2:23 View more videos
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My Penguin Friend

My Penguin Friend (2024) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A sweeping family adventure, My Penguin Friend is a triumphant tale of friendship between a lonely father and a little lost penguin who recharges his spirit and heals his family with an unshakable, ocean-crossing loyalty. Humble fisherman João (international star Jean Reno) has turned away from the world in the wake of tragedy. But when he discovers a penguin drifting alone in the ocean, drenched in oil from a spill, his first instinct is to help. To his wife's (Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza) dismay, he not only rescues the sea creature, but takes the flightless bird under his wing. For the first time in years João starts to feel joy, even if he cannot fathom just how unbreakable a bond is being formed. When the penguin suddenly disappears back into the immense wilds of the ocean, João believes it is impossible that he will ever see his friend again. But thousands of miles away, the penguin is caught in misadventures of his own, determined to use his unique GPS-like powers to find his way back to the place he now considers home. Based on an emotional true story that riveted the world and filmed on the spectacular coasts of Brazil and Argentina, My Penguin Friend is a tale that traverses the magic of the ocean, the beauty of nature, and the transformative power of love.
Director
David Schurmann
Producer
Robin Jonas, Shaked Berenson, Patrick Ewald, Nicolas Veinberg, Steven P. Wegner, Jonathan Lim, Andreas Wentz
Screenwriter
Paulina Lagudi Ulrich, Kristen Lazarian
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Production Co
Schurmann Filmes, City Hill Arts, Content Studios, Ventre Studio, Sur-Film
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 16, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.8M
Runtime
1h 37m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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