The Rainbow Fish is becoming a cinema film. The picture book character by Marcus Pfister (65) will come to the big screen on November 19, 2026 as a handcrafted puppet adventure. Behind the film adaptation are Studiocanal, Claussen+Putz Filmproduktion and Zodiac Pictures, who are realizing the project together with the Augsburger Puppenkiste. The production companies involved announced this.
The three houses have already worked together several times, including on Der Räuber Hotzenplotz, Die kleine Hexe and Heidi. For the story about the fish with the shiny scales, they are relying on classic puppetry art this time.
Prominent Voices for the Ocean Inhabitants
A well-known ensemble was engaged for the voice acting of the characters. Among others, Jannik Schümann, Luna Wedler, Tobias Krell, Bjarne Mädel, Oliver Kalkofe and Bela B Felsenheimer will be heard. Andrea Sawatzki, Hella von Sinnen, Michael Brandner, Mechthild Großmann and Tom Böttcher are also lending their voices to the ocean inhabitants.
A Classic with a Simple Message
Marcus Pfister's picture book was published in 1992 and from there began its journey around the world. More than 30 million copies have been sold since then, and children in numerous countries know the fish with the glittering scale coat. At its core is a simple idea: sharing brings joy. The film now carries this message to the cinema.
Filming in Augsburg
Filming will continue until mid-July in Augsburg. Direction is by Florian Moch, who has been working for years as a director, writer and puppet maker for the Augsburger Puppenkiste and has also written the screenplay. "Being able to make a contemporary, handcrafted puppet film with 'The Rainbow Fish' is something very special - and for me the fulfillment of a childhood dream," Moch is quoted as saying in the announcement. He created a large part of the puppets used for the underwater world himself.
