The Dink

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2:22

The Dink

PG-13

2026

1h 42m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

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80 Reviews

60%

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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

5d

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)

6d

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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Dustin Rowles

Pajiba

1h

Just a get-in, get-out good time that never overstays its welcome, features a few good pickleball action sequences, develops the characters enough to make them sympathetic, and goes home on a triumphant note.

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Jennifer Green

Common Sense Media

1d

3/5

This slightly uneven comedy will delight pickleball players everywhere, and it has enough laughs and emotional beats to appease other viewers as well.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

2d

3/5

…pickleball comedy The Dink isn’t a smash hit, or even a winning shot, but musters just enough energy to get the ball back over the net; it’s a time-passer for sports comedy fans, but not exactly champion material….

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garrett J

@RT24578307 15h

I wouldn't call it a good movie, but I did enjoy it.

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Christa D

@Starbuck74 17h

This is an awesome heartwarming comedy that will not only make up for a bad day but make you forget about all of your troubles.

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Ranny L

@RT68152916 21h

This is a hilarious, action-packed movie that uses humor to deal with heavy issues like self-discovery, accepting changes, and difficult relationships with parents. I laughed throughout the entire film and found myself constantly rooting for Dusty. I really enjoy how the story centers on one character, Dusty, and how he manages his relationships with family and friends while using the rivalry between tennis and pickleball as a subplot. The conflict between the two sports is hilarious. I love that the film shows how everyone is good at something, regardless of age and perceived ability. I also like the pacing of the film and how it primarily focuses on the main character over a short period of his life. Most of the scenes are set at the tennis club or the pickleball courts. My favorite part is all of the celebrity cameos and how Dusty gets his new nickname. It reminds us that it is never too late to create the version of yourself that you want to be. By Julie O., KIDS FIRST!

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Amy R

@Raven1 1d

Fun movie. Good humor. Great cast. It’s supposed to be goofy…it’s about darn pickleball!! lol. Just lighten up and watch it to smile. I enjoyed the chill watch and it made me laugh. 5 star to me!!

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Vincent I

@RT03663667 1d

Baffled by people who slate this for not being a documentary about Pickleball. Great comedy, the kind that unfortunately don't get made as much as they used to, with a solid cast & a great script that avoids nearly all the 'generic sports movie' tropes.

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54 S

@DaNobleBug 1d

I love this movie and I am in love with this movie.

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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