Is a ‘The Dink’ Sequel Actually Happening on Apple TV? Here’s What We Know So Far

Pickleball fans and Jake Johnson devotees have a lot to celebrate this week, because ‘The Dink’ has officially arrived on Apple TV. The sports comedy, which follows a washed up tennis prodigy who finds unexpected redemption on the pickleball court, dropped globally on July 24, 2026, and it is already sparking plenty of chatter online.

With the movie just now hitting screens, viewers are naturally wondering what comes next for Dusty Boyd and his oddball crew of paddle wielding underdogs. Is a follow-up already brewing behind the scenes, or is this a one and done underdog story in the vein of countless other streaming originals.

‘The Dink’ Sequel Status Right Now

As of this article’s publication, there has been no official announcement from Apple TV, Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films, or Rivulet Entertainment regarding a sequel to ‘The Dink’. The film was acquired for worldwide distribution by Apple Original Films back in August 2025 and finally premiered on July 24, 2026, but nothing in the press rollout has mentioned plans for a second chapter.

The movie’s global premiere took place on July 20, 2026, at The Atrium at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, drawing out stars Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Chloe Fineman and Aaron Chen, along with director Josh Greenbaum and writer Sean Clements. None of the coverage from that event, nor from the film’s press day, has floated the idea of a sequel just yet.

Critics have also weighed in on the film itself, and their reactions may hint at whether a sequel would even make sense. One review described ‘The Dink’ as watchable but entirely vanilla, calling it dorky and formulaic despite Johnson’s appealing screen presence. Another outlet noted the film is short on belly laughs, though it praised the chemistry between Johnson and his pickleball partner played by Steenburgen. Mixed reviews like these do not necessarily kill sequel odds in the streaming world, but they also do not scream franchise potential.

The Pickleball Comedy Sequel Speculation

Since there is no confirmed news of a follow up, it is worth speculating a little about what a ‘The Dink’ sequel could even look like. The film joins an expanding lineup of sports content on Apple TV, alongside titles like ‘F1 The Movie’ and ‘Stephen Curry Underrated’, which suggests Apple has genuine appetite for sports adjacent programming. If ‘The Dink’ performs well with subscribers, a sequel centered on Dusty’s continued pickleball journey, or perhaps a rivalry rematch against Andy Roddick’s fictionalized version of himself, would not be a stretch.

Another possibility is that Apple could lean into the ensemble nature of the cast rather than crafting a direct narrative sequel. With names like Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Patton Oswalt and Chris Parnell rounding out the roster, a spinoff focused on the country club itself, rather than strictly on Dusty, could be an easier pitch for the studio.

Pickleball has been called the fastest growing sport in America, and that cultural momentum alone could be reason enough for Apple to keep mining the sport for content, sequel or otherwise.

It is also worth remembering that director Josh Greenbaum already has his hands full. His upcoming film, described as ‘Spaceballs: The New One,’ is set for release in 2027, which means any potential ‘The Dink’ follow-up would likely have to wait in line behind that project if Greenbaum were to return.

Jake Johnson’s Future with the Franchise

Johnson’s involvement extended well beyond acting on this project. He served as one of the producers on ‘The Dink’ alongside Ben Stiller and John Lesher, which gives him a real stake in whether the story continues. Producers with skin in the game often have influence over whether a studio greenlights another round, especially when the property performs well on a streaming platform’s internal metrics.

That said, Johnson is not exactly hurting for other work. ‘The Dink’ arrived on the heels of his other Apple project, ‘Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’, showing that his relationship with the streamer is already an ongoing one.

Whether that relationship extends specifically into a pickleball sequel remains to be seen, but the door is clearly open given how frequently he and Apple TV seem to be working together lately.

Fans on social media have also been quick to point out the obvious comparison between ‘The Dink’ and ‘Dodgeball,’ and some are already hoping history repeats itself with a sequel of similar spirit. Critics have directly noted that Stiller’s presence as producer furthers the impression that ‘The Dink’ wants to do for pickleball what ‘Dodgeball’ did for that sport, which only fuels speculation that Apple could be eyeing a longer term comedic universe built around underdog sports.

Apple TV Original Films and What Comes Next

For now, ‘The Dink’ stands as a self contained story, and Apple TV has not indicated whether it plans to expand the world of Dusty Boyd and his pickleball paddle further. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds an 80 percent approval rating from 25 critics, with an average score of 6.1 out of 10, numbers that suggest a generally positive but not overwhelming critical reception.

Apple’s streaming strategy has increasingly leaned into original sports comedies and dramas, so even without a direct sequel, viewers should not be surprised if the streamer revisits similar themes down the line. Until an official announcement arrives, everything about a potential ‘The Dink’ sequel remains speculation built on cast chemistry, genre trends and Apple’s clear enthusiasm for sports storytelling.

Do you think Dusty Boyd deserves another shot at redemption on the pickleball court, or should ‘The Dink’ stay a standalone underdog story?