Penguins

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Penguins

G

Released Apr 17, 2019

1h 16m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

An Adélie penguin named Steve joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

If there's anything cuter than an Adelie penguin, it has to be a penguin voiced by Ed Helms.

Rated: B+

Apr 19, 2019

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Despite issues with the Penguins narrative, its cinematography is unsurpassed.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 18, 2019

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

It took 16 cinematographers three years to capture the stunning images in this doc about an Adelie penguin (anthropomorphically voiced by Ed Helms) coming of age during a freezing Antarctic spring. Go for the film's thrilling sense of wonder.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 18, 2019

Full Review

Robin Holabird

KUNR (Reno, NV)

This approach might not work for a purist who wants no manipulation with reality, but on an entertainment level, the title characters of "Penguins" once again do their jobs...

Jul 23, 2021

Full Review

Alex Bentley

CultureMap

The adorable nature of penguins is all over DisneyNature's Penguins, but it would have been nice if the filmmakers had trusted the material they had instead of trying to force the issue with some out-of-place anthropomorphizing of their subjects.

Feb 18, 2021

Full Review

Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

The storytelling device used in most Disneynature films is tired and feels like pandering to younger audiences, but the footage is indispensable -- captured by a team that is clearly fearless and remarkably careful.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 21, 2020

Full Review

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G G

It is a great movie. There are a lot of penguins, but there was 3-4 penguin deaths.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Disney Nature films delivers another worthy entry in their collection focusing on a family of animals for this one Ed Helms narrates the tough and perilous journey of an Adeli penguin in Antarctica the region is one of the harshest environments on the planet but its beautiful scope and open waters provide the perfect nesting ground for penguins to establish a colony and hatch their young the main water fowl here is a penguin named Steve who has to keep up with his flock, find a mate, hatch young baby chicks, avoid predators etc. it's long, fun, dangerous, and full of surprises the younger viewers will have a tough time watching certain scenes since it's the cycle of life but it's very rewarding seeing the filmmakers capture the magnificence of these birds and their fascinating habits short, sweet, and wonderful to look at like all the other Disney Nature films

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Disney Nature films delivers another worthy entry in their collection focusing on a family of animals for this one Ed Helms narrates the tough and perilous journey of an Adeli penguin in Antarctica the region is one of the harshest environments on the planet but its beautiful scope and open waters provide the perfect nesting ground for penguins to establish a colony and hatch their young the main water fowl here is a penguin named Steve who has to keep up with his flock, find a mate, hatch young baby chicks, avoid predators etc. it's long, fun, dangerous, and full of surprises the younger viewers will have a tough time watching certain scenes since it's the cycle of life but it's very rewarding seeing the filmmakers capture the magnificence of these birds and their fascinating habits short, sweet, and wonderful to look at like all the other Disney Nature films

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/23

Full Review

Darryl

Cuteness overload! Fascinating look at these beautiful creatures. Tells a story that's both fun and educational. I would definitely recommend it. 🐧 🐧

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/23

Full Review

Shioka O

I always love Penguin documentaries, and this is a gem! Beautifully filmed, every shots are truly adorable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

John B

I thought it was good overall with an entertaining story of a penguin named Steve on his journey to create a family while surviving the elements of the arctic

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/22

Full Review

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Jeff Wilson

Director

Alastair Fothergill

Director

Ed Helms

Narrator

David Fowler

Writer

Alastair Fothergill

Producer

Jeff Wilson

Producer

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Penguins: Trailer 2

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Synopsis

An Adélie penguin named Steve joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after.

Director: Jeff Wilson, Alastair Fothergill
Producer: Alastair Fothergill, Jeff Wilson, Keith Scholey, Roy Conli
Screenwriter: David Fowler
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Silverback Films
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.7M
Runtime: 1h 16m

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