The Dink

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2:22

The Dink

PG-13

2026

1h 42m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

87 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck's (Ed Harris) suburban country club. Desperate for his father's approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck's vendetta against the new craze taking over the club: pickleball. But when Dusty reaggravates an old injury, taking away his ability to play tennis, he resorts to the unthinkable in the name of rehab. He not only tries pickleball, but, thanks in part to his enchanting new partner, Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he finds himself actually enjoying it. Torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood nemesis, Andy Roddick (Andy Roddick). Ultimately, Dusty is drawn into a desperate battle for the future of the club, his father's affection and his very identity.

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Critics Consensus

Jake Johnson gives his all to pickleball in The Dink, a funny and easygoing enough comeback for the sports comedies of yore that leaves it all on the court with ample pizzazz.

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Audience Says

While not an overhead smash, The Dink’s game cast serves up enough good-natured humor to make it an enjoyable match.

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Martin Robinson

London Evening Standard

Jul 28

2/5

Apple TV’s new film The Dink, however, takes a disappointingly gentler approach in depicting the gentle American sport of pickleball when it should, surely, be taking a wrecking ball to it.

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Jared Richards

The Age (Australia)

Jul 27

2/5

Much like the gentle pickleball lob it’s named after, The Dink plods along lightly, pleasant enough but subdued.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jul 25

2/5

Harris is typically effective as the sociopathic paterfamilias but it’s a familiar performance that, if not quite phoned in, could almost have been delivered over Zoom.

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Alex Maidy

JoBlo's Movie Network

1d

7/10

You will likely leave this film wanting to try your hand at the game, or it may even turn you on to cowgirl country music. The Dink definitely earns the laughs it puts out there and is better than I expected.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

2d

It might not be the best pickleball-menace movie of 2026, that honour surely goes to documentary Kings of Venice, but this aces its rare dramatic moments, while serving up a real comedic treat.

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Rachel Ho

Exclaim!

2d

Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen's pairing creates a wholesome and humorous overlay to the story, but the movie never quite takes off as a comedy or a sports movie.

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William K

@Koolbill 10h

If you're looking for a "no-brainer" to lighten your load and get a kick out of seeing some cameo roles played by Ben Stiller, McEnroe and some other "sleepers" - then this one is for you. I got a bang out of it because it reminded me of the Tennis Club (very "snooty") that I frequented as a kid. All in all - good fun, nothing earth-shattering. (Most of the trophy-winning tennis jocks that I knew were better looking than the lead dude in the film, Jake Johnson).

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Adam H

@RT00107543 23h

Pickleball and tennis fans alike, gather around the table for a comedic experience that is excellent written and executed. Something that may not be remembered in the long run but much worth your while. Great comic relief, and a good plot.

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Christian K

@ckacar 2d

Effective and tame streaming fare, Mary Steenburgen getting a real solid romantic comedy part at age 73 is impressive.

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Michael A

@mcafilms 2d

It’s a thin story, but it is nonetheless fun and enjoyable as a summer comedy should be.

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Meri S

@mschroeder 3d

This is just a fun little romp. A few laugh out loud moments. Formulaic and a little goofy? Yes. But I believe it deserves higher audience scores than what it’s getting. It’s a breath of fresh air in a movie market flooded with violence, drama and action. A lot of AList actors too.

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Oggie B

@OGDawg 4d

D is a charming, laugh-out-loud romp that knows exactly how to have fun. Clever, lighthearted, and packed with personality, it’s a delightful little comedy that hits the sweet spot.

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Josh Greenbaum

Director

Jake Johnson

Dusty Boyd

Mary Steenburgen

Candace

Ed Harris

Chuck Boyd

Ben Stiller

Dr. Stone

Patton Oswalt

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Synopsis

Washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck's (Ed Harris) suburban country club. Desperate for his father's approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck's vendetta against the new craze taking over the club: pickleball. But when Dusty reaggravates an old injury, taking away his ability to play tennis, he resorts to the unthinkable in the name of rehab. He not only tries pickleball, but, thanks in part to his enchanting new partner, Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he finds himself actually enjoying it. Torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood nemesis, Andy Roddick (Andy Roddick). Ultimately, Dusty is drawn into a desperate battle for the future of the club, his father's affection and his very identity.

Director: Josh Greenbaum
Producer: Ben Stiller, John Lesher, Rob Paris, Mike Witherill, Jake Johnson
Screenwriter: Sean Clements
Distributor: Apple TV
Production Co: Red Hour Films, Rivulet Media, Apple Original Films
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Material|Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2026
Runtime: 1h 42m

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