🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Christopher Jenkins
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (4.4K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 13%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A reckless bachelor goose accidentally injures himself and gets stuck playing single dad to two lost ducklings on a road trip, all while trying to outfly a creepy cat with questionable mental health.
🍿 Duck Duck Goose: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A High-Flying Goose Gets Grounded
Peng is a young, carefree gander more interested in performing daring aerial stunts than preparing for the annual migration south. His reckless behavior sets him apart from his flock, led by the more traditional Bing. During one particularly wild flight, Peng collides with a group of ducklings, accidentally separating two young siblings, Chi and Chao, from their family.

An Unlikely Trio Forms
Injured and unable to fly with his flock, Peng is grounded. He encounters the lost ducklings, Chi and Chao, who imprint on him, believing he’s their parent. Despite his initial reluctance and desire to rejoin his own kind, Peng reluctantly takes the ducklings under his wing, partly due to his injury making him vulnerable to predators like the cunning cat Banzou.

Journey South with Unexpected Companions
The makeshift family embarks on a perilous journey across vast landscapes, including mountains, forests, and cities, aiming to reach the flocks migrating south. Along the way, the fiercely independent Peng must learn to care for the vulnerable ducklings, facing numerous challenges and the constant threat of Banzou, who is determined to make the ducklings his dinner. Their adventures test Peng’s patience and begin to change his perspective on life and responsibility.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Peng (Jim Gaffigan): The freewheeling bachelor goose who learns responsibility while helping two lost ducklings journey south.
- Chi (Zendaya): One of the determined lost ducklings who forms an unlikely bond with the goose Peng.
- Chao (Lance Lim): Chi’s younger lost duckling brother who embarks on a journey south with Peng and his sister.
- Banzou (Greg Proops): An eccentric and dangerous cat who relentlessly pursues the goose and ducklings.
- Frazier (Stephen Fry): A supporting character providing comic relief during the journey.
- Giles (Craig Ferguson): A supporting character providing comic relief alongside Frazier.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Peng: “I can’t fly with the kids, hahaha. They’re childish.” – Said dismissively by Peng early in the film, highlighting his initial arrogant and carefree attitude towards younger, less experienced birds.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $1,348,563
- Worldwide Gross: $19,836,499
💥 Duck Duck Goose Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I checked out ‘Duck Duck Goose’ on Netflix, mostly because of Jim Gaffigan and Zendaya doing voices! I went in not expecting Pixar, but honestly, it was… interesting. The animation is surprisingly pretty, like, really nice to look at during the flying scenes and landscapes. I loved the little ducklings, Chi and Chao – they were super cute and totally the heart of the movie. Peng, the goose, is kind of a jerk at first, which is the standard arc, but his transformation felt a little sudden. I definitely laughed a few times, though some of the jokes felt a bit… much? And yeah, the cat villain is genuinely kinda creepy for a kids’ movie, which felt like a weird choice. Overall, it’s not a masterpiece, and the story is super predictable, but I wasn’t bored. It has moments of charm and cuteness, and the journey storyline is decent. If you’re looking for something visually pleasant with cute characters and don’t mind some tonal weirdness, give it a shot. It’s fine for a chill afternoon watch.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families looking for a straightforward animated adventure”
- “Fans of Jim Gaffigan or Zendaya”
- “Viewers interested in animal-centric stories”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some rude/toilet humor”
- “Mild peril and scary scenes involving the villain (cat)”
- “Some parental reviews note potentially inappropriate jokes or language for very young children”
Professional Reviews
- Synthesized Review: “While visually vibrant with polished animation, ‘Duck Duck Goose’ struggles with a generic, predictable story arc. The attempts at humor often miss the mark, leaning too heavily into juvenile gags, and the pacing can feel sluggish. The character development, particularly for the lead goose, feels rushed and relies on tired tropes. It’s technically competent but lacks the creative spark needed to stand out in a crowded animated landscape.
- Synthesized Review: “This film proves contentious. Its beautiful backdrops and charming duckling designs are undeniable highs. However, the inclusion of a genuinely unnerving feline antagonist and some surprisingly dark or crude jokes feel mismatched for its target audience, potentially frightening younger viewers. While it aims for a heartwarming family message, the execution is uneven, making it a difficult recommendation for all ages despite some adult-friendly laughs.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers praised the animation quality and beautiful scenery.: The visuals are surprisingly well-done for a non-major studio film, and the ducklings are adorable.
The cat villain was a major point of discussion, often cited as too scary for young children.: The movie has inconsistent humor and some scenes that feel inappropriate or frightening for the intended young audience.
Opinions are polarized, with some loving it as a fun family watch and others finding it boring or generic.: It’s a simple story with a predictable family message, but whether it entertains depends heavily on viewer tolerance for its flaws.
Overall Consensus: A visually appealing animated film with cute characters that is ultimately divisive among audiences due to its generic plot, inconsistent humor, and potentially scary villain, leading to a mixed reception, particularly regarding its suitability for very young children.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “At an estimated $40 million, this was one of the most expensive animated films to be funded from China at the time.”
- “The film marks the directorial debut for Chris Jenkins, who previously worked in animation on films like ‘Surf’s Up’.”
- “Despite being produced by an American production house (Original Force 3D Animation) and having English-speaking voice actors like Jim Gaffigan and Zendaya, the film is set in China.”
🖥️ How to Watch Duck Duck Goose?
Looking to watch ‘Duck Duck Goose’? This animated family adventure is often available to stream on platforms like Netflix (availability may vary by region). You can also typically find it available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Check your preferred service for the most current options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Duck Duck Goose, you might like these similar films:
- Ice Age (2002): Features a mismatched group of animals (including a reluctant grumpy one) forced to journey together and form an unlikely family bond while dealing with predators and environmental challenges.
- Despicable Me (2010): Centers on a initially villainous, independent character who reluctantly ends up caring for a group of young orphans, leading to significant character growth and the formation of a ‘found family’.
- Smallfoot (2018): Another animated film released in 2018 featuring Zendaya in a voice role, focusing on characters embarking on a journey of discovery outside their established community.
- Migration (2023): A more recent animated film directly focused on a family of ducks embarking on a migration journey, encountering unexpected challenges and new friends along the way.
- The Rescuers (1977): Features a pair of small animal heroes (mice) embarking on a long, dangerous journey to rescue a child, highlighting themes of bravery, partnership, and overcoming adversity.
🛒 Duck Duck Goose Related Products
- Duck Duck Goose (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Enjoy the full score and featured songs from the film, including the memorable ‘Thunder To The Ground,’ composed to enhance the movie’s adventurous journey.
- Chi & Chao Duckling Plush Toy Set: Adorable plush toys featuring the two main duckling characters from the movie, Chi and Chao, perfect for cuddling or display.
- Learn to Draw ‘Duck Duck Goose’ Characters: A digital guide or app teaching kids and fans how to draw Peng, Chi, Chao, and other characters from the movie in simple steps.
- Animated Movie Favorites Collection (Multi-Movie Set): A digital collection featuring ‘Duck Duck Goose’ alongside other family-friendly animated adventure films for hours of entertainment.
🎧 Soundtrack
Duck Duck Goose features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Duck Duck Goose is an animated family film about a reckless bachelor goose named Peng who gets injured and separated from his flock. He unexpectedly becomes the guardian of two lost ducklings, Chi and Chao, and must lead them on a dangerous journey south while evading a hungry cat.
The voice cast includes Jim Gaffigan as Peng the goose, Zendaya as Chi the duckling, and Lance Lim as Chao the duckling. Other notable voices include Greg Proops as Banzou the cat and Carl Reiner.
The movie is rated PG, primarily for rude humor and peril. While featuring cute characters and animation, some parents and reviews note that the villainous cat character (Banzou) and certain tense or violent scenes might be frightening for very young or sensitive children. Parental discretion is advised.
Availability varies, but Duck Duck Goose has been available on streaming services like Netflix. You can also typically rent or buy it digitally on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Check specific services for current options.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Duck Song
Ever wondered what happens when a duck walks up to a lemonade stand? Get ready for a seriously catchy tune that’s an absolute internet classic – it’s been stuck in my head for days!
Running Duck (outline trend tiktok)
See the viral sensation that had everyone obsessed! This super-short clip of a running duck outline is oddly captivating – I could watch it loop forever!
Advanced duck duck goose
Ready to see ‘Duck Duck Goose’ like you’ve never seen it before? This hilarious short takes the classic game to a whole new level – trust me, the twist is brilliant!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.