The Penguin Lessons
Seen it?2025 | 111 min | Drama
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Remember the Titans or The Hurricane, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
In 1976, as Argentina descends into violence and chaos, a world-weary English teacher regains his compassion for others thanks to an unlikely friendship with a penguin.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$14 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 189K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Peter Cattaneo
- Steve CooganTom Michell
- Jonathan PryceHeadmaster Buckle
- Vivian El JaberMaria
- Björn GustafssonTapio
- Alfonsina CarrocioSofia
- David HerreroDiego
- Micaela BrequeCarina
- Tomás PozziBursar
- Ramiro BlasMárquez
- Juan BarreiroUruguayan Police Officer