The Bad Guys 2
Direct sequel with same voice cast, picks up after the gang's redemption arc
The brief
Pierre Perifel cranks up the energy for this sequel that somehow makes Sam Rockwell's snarky wolf even more charming while throwing the gang into a genuinely clever gender-flipped premise. The animation pops with more kinetic heist sequences and the voice cast clearly had a blast recording together - Marc Maron's grumpy snake steals every scene he slithers into. It moves at a breathless pace that never lets up, bouncing between exotic locations with the manic energy of a sugar-rushed kid playing with action figures. Perfect for anyone who loved the first one or needs something that splits the difference between Ocean's Eleven and Zootopia.
The verdict
If you loved the manic energy of the original or enjoy animated heist comedies that move at breakneck speed, this sequel delivers bigger laughs and more inventive action sequences that will keep you grinning throughout. If you prefer slower-paced animation or found the first film too hyperactive and snarky, the cranked-up energy and relentless pace will likely exhaust rather than entertain you.
Watch with
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for family movie night with kids 6+
- 👥 Great for friends who love animated comedies
- ⚠️ May be too fast-paced for very young children
Heads up
- Cartoon action violence and chase sequences (moderate)
- Some mild peril and scary moments (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Pierre Perifel
- Cast
- Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz, Danielle Brooks
Official synopsis
'The now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Both feature reformed antiheroes in stylish animated capers with ensemble casts.
Total runtime: 1h 44m + 2h 20m = 4h 4m
