Pickleball has officially received the Hollywood treatment with The Dink, a sports comedy starring Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris.
Now streaming on Apple TV, The Dink movie follows a former tennis prodigy who reluctantly turns to pickleball after an injury prevents him from playing tennis. What begins as an embarrassing form of rehabilitation soon becomes an unexpected opportunity for redemption, friendship and personal growth.
With a talented comedy cast, appearances from tennis legends and a story built around the growing rivalry between tennis and pickleball, the film offers plenty for sports fans and casual viewers alike.
Here is everything you need to know about The Dink movie, including its release date, cast, story, celebrity cameos and where to watch it.
When Was The Dink Movie Released?
The Dink was released globally on July 24, 2026. The movie is available to stream exclusively on Apple TV.
Because it received a worldwide streaming release, viewers can watch the pickleball comedy from home rather than waiting for a separate theatrical release.
The Dink Release Details
- Release date: July 24, 2026
- Streaming platform: Apple TV
- Genre: Sports comedy
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Josh Greenbaum
- Writer: Sean Clements
The movie was produced by Ben Stiller, John Lesher, Rob Paris, Mike Witherill and Jake Johnson.
What Is The Dink Movie About?
The Dink follows Dusty Boyd, played by Jake Johnson, a former tennis prodigy whose career never reached the heights he expected.
Dusty now spends his time coaching difficult children at a suburban country club owned by his father, Chuck Boyd. Still desperate to earn his father's approval, Dusty supports Chuck's campaign against the growing popularity of pickleball at the club.
Chuck sees pickleball as a threat to tennis and wants to prevent it from taking over the courts. Dusty shares that attitude until an old injury returns and leaves him unable to continue playing tennis.
With few options available, Dusty begins playing pickleball as part of his rehabilitation.
At first, he considers the sport beneath him. However, his perspective gradually changes after he begins playing with Candace, an enthusiastic pickleball player portrayed by Mary Steenburgen.
Dusty unexpectedly discovers that he enjoys the game. He also begins connecting with a new community while reconsidering his relationship with tennis, his father and his past failures.
Tennis players making the same transition as Dusty may prefer pickleball paddles for tennis players that provide familiar reach, power and handle length.
His journey eventually forces him to choose between the world in which he was raised and the new sport that has helped him rediscover his confidence.
The story leads to a battle over the future of the country club, Dusty's relationship with his father and his own identity as an athlete.
The Dink Movie Cast
One of the main attractions of The Dink movie is its cast, which combines experienced dramatic actors, popular comedy performers and real tennis stars.
Jake Johnson as Dusty Boyd
Jake Johnson plays Dusty Boyd, a washed-up former tennis prodigy who reluctantly discovers pickleball after aggravating an old injury.
Johnson is best known for playing Nick Miller in New Girl. In addition to starring in the movie, he also serves as one of its producers.
Ed Harris as Chuck Boyd
Ed Harris plays Chuck Boyd, Dusty's demanding father and the owner of the suburban country club where much of the story takes place.
Chuck strongly opposes the rise of pickleball and wants to protect the club's traditional tennis culture.
Mary Steenburgen as Candace
Mary Steenburgen plays Candace, Dusty's new pickleball partner.
Candace helps Dusty understand the enjoyment and community surrounding the sport. Her influence becomes an important part of his physical recovery and emotional growth.
Steenburgen was already familiar with pickleball before making the movie and performed many of her own playing scenes. Professional player Beth Bellamy reportedly assisted with limited stunt work.
Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller appears in the film while also serving as one of its producers.
His involvement is especially fitting because The Dink shares some of the exaggerated underdog sports energy associated with Dodgeball, which Stiller starred in.
Supporting Cast
The wider The Dink cast includes:
- Patton Oswalt
- Chloe Fineman
- Chris Parnell
- Aaron Chen
- Christine Taylor
- Lynne Marie Stewart
- Martin Kove
- Cleo King
- Lennon Parham
- Don Lake
- Wayne Wilderson
Which Athletes Appear in The Dink?
Real-life tennis legends Andy Roddick and John McEnroe appear in The Dink.
Andy Roddick plays a particularly important role because he appears as Dusty's childhood rival. Dusty's history with Roddick represents one of the athletic failures he has struggled to overcome.
John McEnroe also appears in a supporting role, adding another recognizable connection to professional tennis.
Andy Roddick and John McEnroe are not the only famous names connected to the game, as a growing number of celebrities who play pickleball have helped bring the sport into mainstream culture.
Their involvement strengthens one of the movie's main themes: the humorous but sometimes serious rivalry between traditional tennis players and the rapidly expanding pickleball community.
Do the Actors in The Dink Really Play Pickleball?
Mary Steenburgen was already a pickleball enthusiast before appearing in the movie.
Rather than learning everything solely for the role, she arrived with previous experience and was able to perform many of her own pickleball scenes.
The other cast members trained as needed for the film, although they have not all publicly described themselves as regular or competitive pickleball players.
The production also received assistance from experienced players when more advanced shots or stunt work were required.
Who Directed The Dink?
The Dink was directed by Josh Greenbaum, whose previous work includes Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and the documentary Will & Harper.
The screenplay was written by Sean Clements, whose credits include Workaholics.
Rather than treating the movie only as a collection of sports jokes, the story uses pickleball to explore family pressure, failed ambitions, aging, friendship and second chances.
Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films and Rivulet Entertainment were among the production companies behind the project.
Why Pickleball Players May Enjoy The Dink
Although The Dink is designed as a general sports comedy, many of its jokes and conflicts will feel familiar to pickleball players.
The movie explores subjects such as:
- The rivalry between tennis and pickleball
- Players defending pickleball as a serious sport
- Tennis players underestimating the game
- The social community surrounding local courts
- Learning how to control a dink shot
- Finding the right playing partner
- Becoming unexpectedly competitive
- Discovering pickleball later in life
Experienced players may recognize the debates surrounding court space, technique and whether pickleball should be taken as seriously as tennis.
New viewers may instead relate to Dusty's gradual realization that pickleball requires more strategy and control than he initially assumed.
What Is a Dink in Pickleball?
A dink is a soft, controlled pickleball shot that lands in or near the opponent's non-volley zone, commonly called the kitchen.
Instead of trying to win the point through speed or power, the player uses touch and placement to make the ball difficult to attack.
A successful dink can force an opponent to hit the ball upward, creating an opportunity for the other team to attack on the next shot.
The movie's title works on two levels. It refers directly to one of the most important shots in pickleball while also matching the film's playful comedy style.
Is The Dink Based on a True Story?
No, The Dink is not based on a true story.
Dusty Boyd, Chuck Boyd and the central conflict surrounding their country club are fictional.
However, the movie draws inspiration from real conversations surrounding pickleball's rise, including debates over tennis courts being converted for pickleball and the resistance the sport sometimes receives from traditional tennis players.
Andy Roddick and John McEnroe appear as versions of themselves, but Dusty's personal history with them is part of the fictional story.
Is The Dink Family-Friendly?
The Dink is rated PG-13.
The story contains positive themes involving perseverance, friendship, family relationships, personal growth and learning to move beyond past failures.
However, the rating reflects the presence of strong language and sexual material, so parents may want to review the official content guidance before watching it with younger children.
Where Can You Watch The Dink?
The Dink is available exclusively on Apple TV.
The movie began streaming globally on July 24, 2026. An active Apple TV subscription is required to watch it unless the viewer qualifies for a promotional trial or another eligible offer.
Viewers can access Apple TV through supported smart televisions, streaming devices, mobile devices, computers and gaming consoles.
Is The Dink Worth Watching?
The Dink may be worth watching for viewers who enjoy lighthearted sports comedies, underdog stories and movies about characters receiving an unexpected second chance.
The film is particularly relevant to pickleball players because it builds its story around recognizable debates, techniques and community experiences connected to the sport.
However, viewers do not need to understand pickleball before watching. Dusty begins the story as someone who dismisses the game, allowing the audience to learn about it alongside him.
The combination of Jake Johnson's comedic style, Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris's performances, Ben Stiller's involvement and appearances from Andy Roddick and John McEnroe gives the movie appeal beyond the pickleball community.
Viewers inspired to try Pickleball after watching the movie can start by comparing the best pickleball paddles for beginners
Final Thoughts
The Dink arrives at a time when pickleball has become one of America’s fastest-growing sports, with new courts, clubs and communities appearing across the country.
Instead of presenting the sport only as a passing trend, the film uses it as the foundation for a story about identity, family expectations, friendship and rediscovering the enjoyment of competition.
Jake Johnson leads the film as Dusty Boyd, a former tennis prodigy who is forced to reconsider everything he believes about pickleball. Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Ben Stiller and a strong supporting cast bring additional comedy and emotional depth to the story.
Real-life appearances from Andy Roddick and John McEnroe also make the movie particularly interesting for fans of both tennis and pickleball.
Whether you are an experienced tournament player, a casual weekend player or simply curious about the sport, The Dink offers an accessible introduction to the culture and competition surrounding pickleball.
Players ready to upgrade their equipment can also explore the best pickleball paddles in 2026 across control, power and all-court categories.
The Dink is now streaming globally on Apple TV.
