Each penguin has a distinct personality, including Captain (the leader), Nimrod, Stinky, Lovey, Loudy, and Bitey.

The story follows , a high-powered Manhattan real estate developer who is more focused on closing deals than connecting with his family. His life takes a literal "cold" turn when he inherits six live Gentoo penguins from his late explorer father.

To keep the penguins healthy, Popper turns his luxury Park Avenue apartment into a winter wonderland, which eventually helps him thaw his relationships with his ex-wife Amanda ( Carla Gugino ) and his two children.