Apple TV’s new comedy “The Dink,” directed by Josh Greenbaum and starring Jake Johnson alongside Mary Steenburgen, Ben Stiller, Chloe Fineman, and Ed Harris, is generating positive buzz with an 85% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of late July 2026. The film follows Johnson’s character, Dusty Boyd, a former tennis prodigy turned coach who initially resists but eventually embraces the growing popularity of pickleball, a sport portrayed humorously amidst his personal and family struggles at a suburban country club. The movie also features a fictionalized performance by tennis star Andy Roddick, adding a sports-world crossover element.

Critics have generally responded well to the film’s lighthearted spirit and comedic approach. Prominent reviewers like Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as an “engagingly silly” comedy that satirizes the pickleball craze and its impact on tennis. Meanwhile, Nick Schager from The Daily Beast appreciated its harmless fun and timely humor, and Carla Meyer from the San Francisco Chronicle linked its style to popular sports comedies from the early 2000s such as “Dodgeball” and “Talladega Nights.” This nostalgic connection has helped the film find favor with audiences looking for easy entertainment.

However, “The Dink” is not without its detractors. Some critics have found the film’s premise less compelling, with William Bibbiani of The Wrap and David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter expressing disappointment over its uneven execution and lack of deeper comedic payoff. These voices point out that the premise of a tennis player turned pickleball enthusiast might not carry enough weight to sustain interest, describing the film as background noise rather than a standout comedy in its genre.

Set to begin streaming on Apple TV, “The Dink” exemplifies a growing trend of sports comedies that blend niche athletic hobbies with humor and character-driven storytelling. With Ben Stiller and Jake Johnson also producing, the film seems poised to tap into the current pickleball craze while appealing to fans of light, feel-good sports movies. Whether it’s a hit or miss with broader audiences, the mostly positive critical reception suggests it could be a winning addition to Apple’s lineup this summer.