When a plane crashes into the sea, a pod of dolphins rescues the sole surviving child—a young boy—and raises him as one of their own in an idyllic underwater paradise. As he grows, forging unbreakable bonds through playful antics and shared adventures, their serene world shatters when a tyrannical evil monster seizes control of the ocean depths, banishing the boy to the surface. Stranded on dry land, he finds solace with a compassionate sea captain who becomes his mentor, igniting a daring quest to reclaim his oceanic home, unravel the enigma of his origins, and restore harmony to the seas. Directed by Mohammad Kheirandish, this Iranian animated family adventure weaves themes of belonging, courage, and interspecies friendship with vibrant underwater visuals, whimsical humor, and a heartfelt ode to the wild's nurturing spirit.

Movie Details

  • Title: Dolphin Boy (original: Malchik-delfin or Pesaran-e Delfin)
  • Release Date: April 7, 2022 (Iran theatrical); July 3, 2022 (international limited release)
  • Director: Mohammad Kheirandish
  • Writer: Mohammad Kheirandish
  • Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
  • Language: Persian (Farsi) with English subtitles in select markets
  • Cast (Voice Actors):
    • Polina Avdeyenko as the Boy (English dub)
    • Yuliya Rudina as Dolphin Snowball
    • Aleksandr Fenin as Captain Murvarid
    • Boris Khasanov as the Evil Octopus/Monster
    • Additional voices: Ensemble for marine creatures and supporting characters
  • Cinematographer: Not specified (animated)
  • Editor: Not specified
  • Music Composer: Traditional Iranian folk influences with orchestral score
  • Runtime: 85 minutes
  • Production: Iranian animation studio (specific company not credited widely)
  • Distributor: Limited international via festivals and VOD; Iranian theatrical by local networks
  • Box Office: Primarily regional success in Iran and Middle East; modest global earnings under $1 million due to niche animated market
  • IMDb Rating: 5.1/10
  • Notable: Inspired by folklore of human-animal bonds; praised for cultural authenticity and Southern Iranian music integration but critiqued for stiff voice acting and unmet high expectations from its evocative poster; suitable for young audiences with themes of environmental harmony IMDb Page The Movie Database FilmAffinity Synopsis Kinorium Overview Radio Times Guide Box Office Mojo