Get ready to swap your tennis whites for a paddle, because Hollywood’s favorite sports-comedy dynamic is serving up something fresh. Streaming exclusively on Apple TV starting July 24, 2026, The Dink takes on the ultimate suburban culture war: the explosive rise of pickleball versus the traditional tennis establishment.
Directed by Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) and written by Sean Clements (Workaholics), the film channels the spiritual energy of mid-2000s comedy classics like Dodgeball—and with producer Ben Stiller attached, you can expect plenty of glorious, high-stakes absurdity.
What Is The Dink About?
The film follows Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson), a washed-up former tennis prodigy who never quite made it to the big leagues. Instead, Dusty spends his days coaching uncooperative children at the country club owned by his demanding, hard-nosed father, Chuck (Ed Harris). Desperate to finally win Chuck’s elusive approval, Dusty blindly supports his father’s bitter vendetta against the modern craze sweeping their elite club: pickleball.
Dusty’s loyalty is put to the test when a reaggravated injury takes away his ability to play tennis altogether. Left with no options, he turns to the unthinkable for rehabilitation: trying his hand at the very sport he swore to destroy.
Guided by his charming and competitive new doubles partner, Candace (Mary Steenburgen), Dusty makes a shocking discovery—he actually likes pickleball. Suddenly torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood rivalry with tennis icon Andy Roddick. With the future of the club, his father’s affection, and his very identity hanging in the balance, Dusty enters a desperate, hilarious battle.
Fun Fact: A “dink” in pickleball is a soft, controlled shot hit close to the net, designed to land gently inside the opponent’s “kitchen” (non-volley zone)—making it the ultimate high-finesse move that infuriates traditional power-tennis players.
The Heavy-Hitting Cast
The Dink boasts an impressive ensemble lineup of comedy heavyweights, seasoned actors, and real-life sports icons:
| Actor | Role | Character Profile |
| Jake Johnson | Dusty Boyd | A former tennis prodigy forced into pickleball rehab |
| Ed Harris | Chuck Boyd | Dusty’s strict father and country club owner waging war on pickleball |
| Mary Steenburgen | Candace | Dusty’s enchanting and skilled new pickleball partner |
| Andy Roddick | Himself | Dusty’s childhood nemesis and tennis icon |
| Ben Stiller | Doctor | Dusty’s eccentric doctor (and film producer) |
| Aaron Chen | PJ | Dusty’s loyal assistant and sidekick |
| Patton Oswalt | Skip | An uptight resident pickleball enthusiast |
| Chloe Fineman | Marisa | Dusty’s chaotic ex-girlfriend |
| Chris Parnell | Tennis Pro | Smug resident club elite |
How and When to Watch
- Release Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
- Where to Watch: Streaming globally on Apple TV
- Access: Requires an active Apple TV+ subscription or promotional trial on any supported device.
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