The story of Oink: A girl, a piglet, and a sausage showdown
When Babs turns nine, she receives what should be the perfect birthday gift: a live piglet. But there's a catch — one that sets the entire film's tension in motion. Her grandfather, a man with very traditional (and meat-focused) ideas about what happens to farm animals, has other plans for the little creature. He's convinced the piglet belongs in a sausage competition, not in Babs's bedroom. What unfolds is a genuinely funny, surprisingly touching battle of wills between a determined girl and her stubborn elder, with an innocent animal caught in the middle. Oink doesn't rely on cheap sentimentality; instead, it builds humor from character conflict and the absurdity of the situation itself. The film's 72-minute runtime means there's no fat to trim — every scene earns its place in this deceptively simple premise.
Behind the making of Oink: A landmark for European animation
Oink arrived in 2022 as a genuine milestone for Dutch animation. Director Mascha Halberstad created what became the Netherlands' first-ever stop-motion feature film — a fact that might surprise anyone who assumes European animation has a longer tradition in this particular medium. The film premiered at the 72nd Berlin Film Festival, already signaling its quality to the international festival circuit. The cast includes Hiba Ghafry, Kees Prins, and Jelka van Houten, among others, lending their voices to a production that clearly prioritized voice acting alongside visual craft.
What's most striking about Oink's awards haul is the sheer novelty of its wins. The film claimed three Golden Calves — the Dutch equivalent of major national film honors — in categories that had never before gone to an animated film: Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Production Design. That's not just a win; that's a paradigm shift. The film also earned the Golden Film distinction, awarded to Dutch films that surpass 100,000 tickets sold domestically. Beyond the Netherlands, Oink made the Academy's shortlist for Best Animated Feature, though it didn't land a nomination — a near-miss that speaks to how competitive that category has become. With six wins and ten nominations across various festivals, the film's trajectory shows what happens when craft and heart align perfectly. Movie OTT tracks these kinds of breakthrough titles across streaming platforms, and Oink is exactly the sort of international gem that deserves wider discovery.
What makes Oink stand out: Craft, heart, and genuine humor
Here's the thing about stop-motion animation: it's labor-intensive, often expensive, and easy to make feel sterile if you're not careful about character and warmth. Oink doesn't fall into that trap. The film's production design — which earned one of those Golden Calves — creates a lived-in world that feels both whimsical and grounded. You believe these characters, their relationships, and their stakes. The voice performances anchor everything; they're not phoned in or overly theatrical, which is crucial when you're asking an audience to connect with puppets on screen.
What I keep coming back to is how the film handles its central moral conflict without ever becoming preachy. Babs isn't right because she's a kid and kids love animals; her grandfather isn't wrong because he's old and doesn't understand. Both have legitimate perspectives grounded in their lives and values. The film lets that tension breathe — it's what makes the humor land and the emotional payoff feel earned rather than manipulative. Critics responded accordingly. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a perfect 100% Fresh score, while the IMDb community rated it 7.1/10 across nearly 1,000 votes, suggesting it's the kind of film that appeals broadly without sacrificing intelligence or specificity. European audiences especially embraced it, but the film's streaming availability means it's no longer locked behind regional release windows.
Where to stream Oink online
Oink is currently available on Prime Video, making it accessible to millions of subscribers worldwide. If you're browsing for your next family watch or a genuinely clever animated film that doesn't talk down to its audience, you won't need to hunt across multiple platforms — it's consolidated in one place. The "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page will show you the most current availability, but Prime Video is your go-to right now. Movie OTT keeps those listings updated in real time, so you'll always know where titles are streaming before you start searching.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Oink based on a true story?
No, but it is based on a book. The film adapts "The Revenge of Oink" by Tosca Menten, a Dutch children's book that provided the foundation for Halberstad's screenplay. The filmmakers expanded and adapted the source material for screen, adding visual comedy and nuance that works differently in animation than on the page.
Q: Who directed Oink?
Mascha Halberstad directed the film. Her work on Oink earned her one of the three Golden Calves the film won, making her the first animator to win Best Director in the Dutch awards' history. It's a significant achievement that speaks to her vision and craft.
Q: How long is Oink?
The film runs 72 minutes, which is a tight runtime for an animated feature. That brevity means the pacing never drags, and every scene contributes to the story rather than padding it out.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for Oink?
Oink holds a 7.1/10 rating on IMDb based on nearly 970 votes, and it earned a perfect 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Those scores suggest it's both critically respected and genuinely enjoyed by audiences who've watched it.
Q: Was Oink nominated for an Oscar?
Oink made the Academy's shortlist for Best Animated Feature but didn't receive a final nomination. That said, the film's recognition at festivals like Berlin and its wins at the Golden Calves show it's been celebrated at the highest levels of international cinema.
Final thoughts on Oink
Oink is the kind of film that sneaks up on you. It doesn't announce itself with flashy marketing or franchise recognition. Instead, it arrives as a quietly assured, beautifully crafted story about family, tradition, and what we owe to the creatures — and people — we love. It's a landmark for European animation and a reminder that the best family films don't compromise on intelligence or craft. If you've got 72 minutes and access to Prime Video, you owe it to yourself to watch it.
