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The Dink poster
6.5
Apple Original Films

The Dink

Apple TV+'s pickleball underdog comedy — Jake Johnson's washed-up tennis pro takes up the sport he mocked, with warm laughs and a scene-stealing Mary Steenburgen.

2026 102 min PG-13
Critic6.5
Comedy Sports
Apple TV+
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

Dusty 'The Hammer' Boyd, a washed-up former tennis prodigy reduced to coaching unruly kids at his father's suburban country club, breaks a sacred vow when a re-injury forces him to take up the sport he's mocked for years — pickleball — to save the struggling club and finally earn his father's respect.
Story 6.0
Acting 7.2
Direction 6.5
Cinematography 6.3
Music 6.3
Pacing 6.5
Originality 6.5
Emotional Impact 6.3
Overall 6.5

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

6.5 /10

A gentle crowd-pleaser

The film knows exactly the low-stakes, feel-good movie it wants to be and delivers it with easy charm.

Johnson and Steenburgen shine

The pairing of Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen is the film's most pleasant surprise.

Pros

  • Charming Jake Johnson & Mary Steenburgen pairing
  • Warm, easygoing feel-good tone
  • Fun tennis-legend cameos
  • Timely pickleball hook

Cons

  • Short on big laughs
  • Predictable underdog beats
  • Low-stakes and slight
Verdict An easygoing, warm-hearted underdog comedy that lands plenty of pleasant chuckles rather than belly laughs — buoyed by Jake Johnson's unexpectedly charming chemistry with Mary Steenburgen.

AI Review

Apple TV+'s pickleball underdog comedy — Jake Johnson's washed-up tennis pro takes up the sport he mocked, with warm laughs and a scene-stealing Mary Steenburgen.

An easygoing, warm-hearted underdog comedy that lands plenty of pleasant chuckles rather than belly laughs — buoyed by Jake Johnson's unexpectedly charming chemistry with Mary Steenburgen.

An easy, pleasant streaming watch — great for a relaxed night or pickleball fans.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Development

Announced in September 2024 with Ben Stiller producing and acting and Jake Johnson starring, from a script by Sean Clements.

Production

Directed by Josh Greenbaum for Red Hour Films, Rivulet Films and Apple Studios.

Release

Premiered on Apple TV+ worldwide on July 24, 2026.

Production

Development

Announced in September 2024 with Ben Stiller producing and acting and Jake Johnson starring, from a script by Sean Clements.

Production

Directed by Josh Greenbaum for Red Hour Films, Rivulet Films and Apple Studios.

Release

Premiered on Apple TV+ worldwide on July 24, 2026.

Streaming

Apple TV+

Cast

Jake Johnson Dusty 'The Hammer' Boyd
Mary Steenburgen Candace
Ed Harris Chuck Boyd
Ben Stiller
Chloe Fineman
Patton Oswalt
Chris Parnell
Aaron Chen
Christine Taylor
Martin Kove
Fortune Feimster
Lennon Parham
Andy Roddick Himself (Dusty's rival)
John McEnroe Himself (narrator)

Characters

Dusty 'The Hammer' Boyd Jake Johnson
Candace Mary Steenburgen
Chuck Boyd Ed Harris
Himself (Dusty's rival) Andy Roddick
Himself (narrator) John McEnroe

Crew

Josh Greenbaum Director
Sean Clements Screenwriter
Carl Herse Cinematographer
Dara Taylor Composer
Ben Stiller Producer
John Lesher Producer
Rob Paris Producer
Mike Witherill Producer
Jake Johnson Producer

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. The Dink (Original Motion Picture Score) — Dara Taylor

Trivia

  • Billed as the first mainstream movie centered on pickleball.
  • Writer Sean Clements co-hosts the long-running comedy podcast Hollywood Handbook.
  • Tennis legend John McEnroe narrates the climactic match as a commentator while continuously snacking — an absurdist flourish added by director Josh Greenbaum.
  • Ben Stiller produces through Red Hour Films and also appears in a supporting role.
  • Andy Roddick plays a version of himself as Dusty's childhood tennis rival.
  • The idea grew from real-life tennis-club disputes over converting courts to pickleball.

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Recommendations & Alternatives

For higher ratings, consider F1 (8.9/10). A similarly themed alternative is Reminders of Him.

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AI Recommendation Insight

Apple TV+'s pickleball underdog comedy — Jake Johnson's washed-up tennis pro takes up the sport he mocked, with warm laughs and a scene-stealing Mary Steenburgen. Similar picks: Shared Cast

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