Studiocanal Launches Animated Film Based on 'The Rainbow Fish

WHO:

Reddit Movies - Studiocanal, a pan-European studio, is involved in the animated adaptation.

Deadline - The adaptation is being produced in partnership with Claussen + Putz Filmproduktion and Zodiac Pictures.

WHAT:

Reddit Movies - The film adaptation is based on Marcus Pfister’s children’s book "The Rainbow Fish."

Deadline - The story follows an arrogant shiny fish who learns there is more to life than glittering scales.

Reddit Movies - The film's synopsis describes the Rainbow Fish as the most beautiful fish in the ocean who becomes lonely due to his vanity.

Reddit Movies - The film will explore the original book's message in more depth due to its feature-length duration.

WHY:

Reddit Movies - The adaptation aims to reinterpret the story's core message about the beauty of sharing, amidst debates over its themes of individuality, acceptance, coercion, and boundaries.

Reddit Movies - Studiocanal co-heads Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe stated that "The Rainbow Fish carries a universal message that is understood and loved all over the world."

HOW:

Reddit Movies - The creative team has made adjustments to the original story, including introducing new characters and shifting certain emphases to clarify the intended message.

(UPDATED June 30, 2026 23:23 UTC)

A new animated adaptation of Marcus Pfister’s beloved children’s book "The Rainbow Fish" is in the works, produced by Studiocanal in collaboration with Claussen + Putz Filmproduktion and Zodiac Pictures. The film will delve deeper into the story of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, who learns that true happiness comes from sharing rather than vanity, and it will introduce new characters to enhance the original message. Studiocanal co-heads Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe emphasized that this adaptation aims to explore themes of individuality, acceptance, and boundaries, as "The Rainbow Fish carries a universal message that is understood and loved all over the world."