Pools (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Pools is a 2025 comedy drama directed by Sam Hayes, starring Odessa A’zion as Kennedy, Mason Gooding and Francesca Noel. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $61,138 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Stream it on Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Sam Hayes
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Paesanos Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Pools About?
The premise of Pools without spoilers.
Kennedy has one day to pull herself together or be expelled. Instead of studying, she gathers a misfit crew for a midnight pool‑hopping spree across the opulent estates of her college town. Beneath the fun, she’s searching for answers to the turmoil inside her following her father’s death.
Pools Themes & Keywords
· 3 tags- school
- journey
- night
Where to Watch Pools
Stream it on Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Pools Cast & Characters
Odessa A’zion leads the cast as Kennedy, with Mason Gooding as Reed and Francesca Noel as Shane. Directed by Sam Hayes; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Sam Hayes
- Odessa A’zion as Kennedy
-
Mason Gooding as Reed -
Francesca Noel as Shane - Ariel Winter as Delaney
Also Starring in Pools
· 13 more- Suzanne Cryer Miss Lewis
- Kyle Anderson Kevin the Roommate
- Tyler Alvarez Blake
- Michael Vlamis Michael
- Spencer Waldner Lawn Mower Man
- Israel Idonije Izzy the Homeowner
- Stan Adams Bossman
- Joe Angelo Menconi Johnny the Roommate
- Raymond Fox Dale
- Lucinda Johnston Suzy
- Miguel Nunez Professor
- Sarah Wisterman Bartender
- Bryan Eng Young Cop
Pools Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Pools 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).
Pools Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Pools delivers a lively, summer‑inflected experience that leans more toward enjoyment than innovation. Critics praised its vibrant visual palette, engaging cast chemistry, and moments of sincere humor, while noting a lack of originality in narrative structure and occasional reliance on surface quirks. User reactions echo the positive tone, emphasizing fun and nostalgic resonance. The film’s strengths in style and tone outweigh its structural shortcomings, positioning it as an appealing, if not groundbreaking, coming‑of‑age piece.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual style is frequently described as vibrant and summer‑bright, with commendable swimming sequences and a lively color palette. Critics highlighted the director’s energetic blending of genres, though some noted a derivative approach and a reliance on surface quirks. The overall impression is that the cinematography and production design succeed in creating an engaging aesthetic despite occasional lack of originality.
- Character & Emotion 82
When it comes to character and emotion, the young cast receives consistent praise for nuanced performances and chemistry, particularly the lead’s vulnerable portrayal. Reviewers mention heartfelt sincerity in quieter moments and eccentric personalities that add depth. Some critics criticize a perceived superficiality, yet the majority of feedback underscores a strong emotional core that resonates with audiences, suggesting solid character work overall.
- Story & Flow 68
Regarding story and flow, Pools offers an enjoyable, if familiar, coming‑of‑age framework that many find fun and nostalgic. Positive remarks focus on witty pacing and occasional sincerity, while negative comments point to a lack of originality and an overreliance on genre conventions. The narrative’s relaxed nature divides opinion, resulting in a moderately favorable assessment that reflects both engaging moments and structural shortcomings.
- Sensory Experience 85
In the sensory experience domain, reviewers repeatedly note the film’s vibrant soundtrack, lively sound design, and cohesive visual style that evoke a summer atmosphere. The use of water and color is highlighted as particularly effective, creating an immersive environment. Few criticisms arise in this area, leading to a high score that reflects a strong, consistent sensory appeal throughout the movie.
- Rewatch Factor 80
For rewatch factor, the film’s humor, nostalgic tone, and distinctive cast dynamics encourage repeat viewings. Users describe it as a funny, heartfelt ode to youth, and critics cite its lasting sincerity despite surface quirks. While some note limited narrative depth, the overall enjoyment and memorable moments suggest a solid replay value that keeps audiences returning.
-
IMDb 5.7 /10
1069 votes
See on IMDb
Pools Box Office
Pools grossed $61,138 worldwide. $53,478 came from the US and Canada and $7,660 (13%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$61.1K
- US & Canada
- $53.5K
- International
- $7.7K
Pools Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Clip POOLS Clip | NEXT WAVE 2025
- Featurette New Indie Film 'Pools' is the Perfect Summer Movie (Feat Mason Gooding, Tyler Alvarez, & More!)
Seen Pools?
Movies Like Pools
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Pool, Clubland and The Pool.
Pools FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Pools, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Pools?
Pools runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was Pools released?
Pools was released on August 22, 2025.
Who directed Pools?
Pools was directed by Sam Hayes.
More films by Sam Hayes Who is in the cast of Pools?
Pools stars Odessa A’zion as Kennedy, Mason Gooding as Reed and Francesca Noel as Shane, among 17 credited actors.
Where can I watch Pools?
In the US, Pools is streaming on Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Pools make at the box office?
Pools grossed $61,138 worldwide ($53,478 domestic, $7,660 international).
How is Pools rated?
Pools has 5.7/10 on IMDb.
Does Pools have a post-credit scene?
No. Pools has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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