Oddball and the Penguins

An adorable fluffy dog plus cute little penguins make a kid-friendly combination in this likeable, traditional family movie from Australia. It’s based on the true story of a sheepdog that became the protector of a penguin sanctuary under threat from hungry foxes on the Victoria coast. Olivia (Coco Jack Gillies) is the film’s pipsqueak heroine, who, along with her bumbling grandpa, hatches a secret plan to install mutt Oddball as guard dog to the penguin colony.

Meanwhile, Olivia’s nature warden mum faces losing both her job and the family home if penguin numbers drop and the sanctuary is forced to close. Star of the show is Oddball himself, not only a beauty with his fluffy, all-white fur and soulful blue eyes, but also a charismatic canine actor who doesn’t need CGI to strut his stuff.