The Bad Guys 2

2025 DreamWorks Animation film From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bad Guys 2 is a 2025 American animated heist comedy film loosely based on the children's book series The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The sequel to The Bad Guys (2022) and the second film of the Bad Guys franchise, it was directed by Pierre Perifel and written by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen. The film stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, Richard Ayoade, and Lilly Singh, reprising their roles from the first film, with Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova joining the cast. In the film, the Bad Guys are forced to come out of retirement and join forces with an all-female criminal squad to perform one last heist.

Directed byPierre Perifel
Screenplay by
Produced byDamon Ross
Quick facts Directed by, Screenplay by ...
The Bad Guys 2
Poster for the 2025 animated heist comedy film The Bad Guys 2, the sequel to 2022's The Bad Guys, advertising its theatrical release in the United States.
US theatrical release poster
Directed byPierre Perifel
Screenplay by
Based onThe Bad Guys
by Aaron Blabey
Produced byDamon Ross
Starring
CinematographyThéophile Bondoux
Edited byJesse Averna
Music byDaniel Pemberton
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
  • July 24, 2025 (2025-07-24) (Argentina)
  • August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01) (United States)[1]
Running time
104 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$80 million[3]
Box office$240 million[3][4]
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Perifel expressed interest on developing a sequel to The Bad Guys in March 2022, before the release of the first film in the United States. Two years later, DreamWorks Animation announced a sequel, with Perifel and the voice cast returning. Lyonne joined the cast in July 2024, with the involvement of Brooks and Bakalova being announced in November. Daniel Pemberton composed the score, returning from the previous film.

The Bad Guys 2 premiered in Argentina on July 24, 2025, before being released in the United States on August 1, by Universal Pictures. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $240 million.

Plot

Following the defeat of Professor Marmalade and their release from prison,[a] the Bad Guys have reformed, but they struggle to fit into society. Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula unsuccessfully apply for jobs while Snake is frequently absent from home. Wolf spends his time with Diane, and they grow closer but are unable to start a romantic relationship due to Wolf being an ex-con and Diane being governor. Inspired by Diane to give people a reason to trust them, Wolf helps Misty Luggins, who is now Police Commissioner, track down the Phantom Bandit, a new criminal known for being untraceable. They soon find evidence leading to the bandit being Snake, only to later realize that he was with his new girlfriend, a raven named Susan. In an attempt to expose the Phantom Bandit at a lucha libre wrestling tournament, the Bad Guys are framed by a wild boar for the Phantom Bandit's work. After escaping, Wolf calls Diane to maintain their innocence, and she agrees to help them. When Wolf returns to the others, he finds everyone but Susan unconscious before being tranquilised by Susan.

Upon waking up, the Bad Guys find themselves kidnapped by Susan, whose real name is Doom. She reveals that she works for a snow leopard named Kitty Kat, who is the Phantom Bandit, alongside the wild boar from the tournament named Pigtail Petrova. Kitty has a video revealing Diane as the Crimson Paw—her former criminal identity—and threatens to upload it unless the Bad Guys help her steal the experimental MOON-X rocket, which they reluctantly agree to. Meanwhile, Diane visits Marmalade in prison, where he reveals that Kitty plans to use the International Space Station to steal all of the world's gold with MacGuffinite, a rare metal which can magnetize gold with great force.

The group begin their plan by successfully stealing the smartwatch of MOON-X's owner, Mr. Moon, at his wedding, and Kitty gives Wolf the footage on a flash drive as promised. The Bad Guys plan to expose Kitty to clear their names, but they are caught. Kitty uploads the footage to the internet and alerts the police of the Bad Guys' location. Diane confronts the Bad Girls before they board the rocket. Kitty tranquilizes Diane, who sneaks on board half-conscious. Luggins rearrests the Bad Guys but admits that she believes them and helps them board the rocket mid-launch via helicopter.

After learning the Bad Guys snuck aboard, Doom and Pigtail refuse to attack them, but Kitty threatens them and refuses to give up the plan, magnetizing the Earth's gold, along with a limousine containing a newly acquitted Marmalade. When Wolf reaches her, Kitty breaks the magnet's remote, but Wolf steals the smartwatch and maneuvers the rocket into the magnet, destroying it and returning the gold. An enraged Kitty attempts to murder Wolf for ruining her plan, but Diane recovers, attacks Kitty, and knocks her out. Wolf and Diane happily reunite and share their first kiss, while the Bad Guys regroup along with a reformed Doom and Pigtail as the space station plummets towards Earth. After crash-landing, the Bad Girls are arrested; Kitty is imprisoned while Doom and Pigtail being sentenced to community service. Luggins fakes the deaths of the Bad Guys and Diane so they can be employed as secret agents for the International Super-Galactic League of Protectors (ISGLOP). Meanwhile, Marmalade, who is still in orbit, transforms his limo into a spaceship and flies into space to his home planet.

Voice cast

Clockwise from top left: Main cast members Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne and Maria Bakalova promoting the film at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con

Production

Development

In March 2022, a month before The Bad Guys was released in the United States, director Pierre Perifel said that he would "love to do a sequel".[11] On March 26, 2024, a sequel was confirmed by DreamWorks Animation, with Perifel returning to direct and JP Sans, who served as head of character animation on the previous film, co-directing, making this his directorial debut. Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, and Lilly Singh all reprise their roles from the previous film.[12] On July 13, 2024, it was announced that Natasha Lyonne had been cast in the sequel.[13] Maria Bakalova and Danielle Brooks were announced as part of the cast in November.[5]

Animation

On October 6, 2023, the then-unannounced film was revealed to be animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. Imageworks would operate as a partner studio with DreamWorks utilizing a "mixed production model". Pre-production would be done in-house at DreamWorks along with approximately 50% of the asset build and one hour of production, while Imageworks will handle the other 50% of asset builds and 20 minutes of shot production.[14] All animation was finished by May 7, 2025.[15][better source needed]

Music

Quick facts Film score by Daniel Pemberton, Released ...
The Bad Guys 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
Daniel Pemberton
ReleasedAugust 1, 2025
GenreScore
LabelBack Lot Music
DreamWorks Animation soundtrack chronology
How to Train Your Dragon
(2025)
The Bad Guys 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2025)
Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie
(2025)
Daniel Pemberton chronology
Eddington
(2025)
The Bad Guys 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2025)
Project Hail Mary
(2026)
Singles from The Bad Guys 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  1. "GOODLIFE"
    Released: July 11, 2025
  2. "Taking Everything"
    Released: July 25, 2025
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Daniel Pemberton returns to compose the film's score.[16] Rag'n'Bone Man and WizTheMc performed an original song for the film, titled "GOODLIFE", which was released as a single on July 11, 2025,[17] while another original song titled "Taking Everything", performed by Busta Rhymes, was released on July 25.[18] The official soundtrack was released by Back Lot Music on August 1, 2025, the same day as the film's theatrical release in the United States.[19] Additionally, "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter, "iDance & Rule It" by Luciana, "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches & Herb, a rendition of the Chicken dance performed by The Starsound Orchestra, a remix of Cardi B, J Balvin and Bad Bunny's "I Like It" by Dillon Francis, "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells, Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March", "Frontline" by Mo'Kalamity and The Wizards, "Black Rose" by Coi Leray, "Purple Hat" by Sofi Tukker, and "Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie are heard in the film but not included in the soundtrack album. Furthermore, like its predecessor, "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish was only featured in the trailers.

Track listing

All music is composed by Daniel Pemberton, except as noted.

More information No., Title ...
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."GOODLIFE" (performed by Rag'n'Bone Man ft. WizTheMc)
  • Pemberton
  • Gary GoSanele
  • David Sydow
Pemberton3:08
2."Taking Everything" (performed by Busta Rhymes)
  • Trevor Smith
  • Pemberton
Pemberton3:23
3."Cairo, Five Years Ago"  2:24
4."Bottom of the List"  2:40
5."The Phantom Bandit"  1:26
6."Parting Gift"  1:00
7."The Evidence Board"  1:46
8."Give Them a Reason"  1:09
9."Such a Snake"  0:46
10."Lucha Lucha"  2:25
11."A New Challenger"  1:06
12."Hot Dog Running"  1:53
13."Cops on Case"  1:00
14."Someone Setting Us Up"  1:35
15."Gear Up, Lay Low"  1:10
16."Kitty Kat Crew"  1:47
17."Crashing Down"  2:00
18."Rocket Con"  1:27
19."S.U.C.M. Prisoner"  1:24
20."Here Comes the Bride"  1:05
21."The Wedding Plan"  4:02
22."Eyes Up Cowboy"  1:23
23."Connect 4"  1:16
24."Target Acquired"  0:54
25."Magnet vs. Upload"  2:43
26."Fox Fight"  3:03
27."Cops Set It Up"  0:45
28."You Believe Us"  1:26
29."MoonX Countdown"  1:26
30."Jump the Rocket"  3:04
31."Zero Gravity"  2:54
32."Gold Magnet"  4:10
33."Power Move"  2:36
34."Medium Friendly"  1:33
35."Never Give Up"  1:15
36."The Final Fanfare"  2:14
37."Secret Agents"  1:35
38."GOODLIFE (Super Extended Mix)" (performed by Rag'n'Bone Man ft. WizTheMc)
  • Pemberton
  • Gary GoSanele
  • WizTheMc
Pemberton8:47
39."Taking Everything (Film Mix)" (performed by Busta Rhymes)
  • Smith
  • Pemberton
Pemberton3:41
40."The Big Bad Wolf 2 (Bonus)"  0:58
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Marketing

The first trailer for the film, set to "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish, was released on November 21, 2024, and was later attached to the theatrical release of Wicked (2024).[5]

A short film titled The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis, premiered before the theatrical showings of Dog Man in January 2025,[20] and was subsequently featured on the digital release of the film in August 2025, and the film's 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD releases in October 2025.[21]

Main cast members Rockwell, Maron, Awkwafina, Robinson, Ramos, Borstein, Brooks, Lyonne, and Bakalova appeared on a panel promoting the film at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, leading up to its theatrical release.[22]

Awkwafina appeared as a guest on Maron's long-running podcast WTF, in one of its final episodes, on July 31, in promotion of the film, on the eve of its American theatrical release.[23]

Release

The Bad Guys 2 was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2025, later in the United States on August 1, and in Australia on September 18.[12][24]

Home media

In addition to its theatrical release, and as part of a long-term deal with Netflix for Universal's animated films, the film will stream on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Netflix for the next 10, and returning to Peacock for the remaining four.[25][26][27]

The Bad Guys 2 was released on digital download on August 19, 2025,[28] and on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 7, 2025.[29]

Reception

Box office

The Bad Guys 2 has grossed $82.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $156.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $239.3 million.[4][3]

In the United States and Canada, The Bad Guys 2 was released alongside The Naked Gun and was projected to make $20 million during its opening weekend. After making $9.2 million on its first day, including $2.25 million from Thursday previews, the film surpassed expectations and debuted with $22.2 million domestically, and $44.5 million globally, ranking it in second place behind holdover The Fantastic Four: First Steps.[30][31][32] In its second weekend, the film made $10.4 million (a drop of 53%), falling to fourth place.[33] The Bad Guys 2 then made $7.5 million in its third weekend, finishing in fifth place.[34]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 87% of 112 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "The Bad Guys 2's crew of reformed rapscallions are still a ton of fun as their latest adventure raises the stakes while maintaining a playful sense of mischief."[35] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 64 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[36] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, the same as the first film.[37]

Accolades

More information Award, Date of ceremony ...
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 19, 2025 Best Original Score in an Animated Film Daniel Pemberton Nominated [38]
Kansas City Film Critics Circle December 21, 2025 Best Animated Feature The Bad Guys 2 Nominated [39]
Houston Film Critics Society Awards January 20, 2026 Best Animated Feature The Bad Guys 2 Nominated [40][41]
Black Reel Awards February 16, 2026 Outstanding Voice Performance Danielle Brooks Nominated [42]
Anthony Ramos Nominated
Annie Awards February 21, 2026 Best Feature The Bad Guys 2 Nominated [43][44]
Best FX – Feature Landon Gray, Michael Losure, Zachary Glynn, Chris Wombold, and Olivier Malric Nominated
Best Character Animation – Feature Ludovic Bouancheau Nominated
Best Production Design – Feature Luc Desmarchelier and Floriane Marchix Nominated
Storyboarding – Feature Anthony Holden and Young Ki Yoon Won
Visual Effects Society Awards February 25, 2026 Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Pierre Perifel, Damon Ross, Matt Baer, Benjamin Willis Nominated [45]
Outstanding Environment in an Animated Feature John J. Lee, Greg Hettinger, Mikael Genachte-Le Bail, Mayumi Shimokawa
(for "Cairo City")
Nominated
Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature Michael Losure, Landon Gray, Zachary Glynn, Steve Avoujageli Nominated
Artios Awards February 26, 2026 Feature Animation Christi Soper Hilt; Lara Boushehri Nominated [46][47]
American Cinema Editors Awards February 27, 2026 Best Edited Animated Feature Film (Theatrical or Non-Theatrical) Jesse Averna Nominated [48][49]
NAACP Image Awards February 28, 2026 Outstanding Animated Motion Picture The Bad Guys 2 Nominated [50]
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture Craig Robinson Nominated
Danielle Brooks Nominated
Art Directors Guild Awards February 28, 2026 Best Animated Feature Film Luc Desmarchelier Nominated [51]
Producers Guild of America Awards February 28, 2026 Best Animated Motion Picture Damon Ross Nominated [52]
Motion Picture Sound Editors March 8, 2026 Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Animation DreamWorks Animation Nominated [53]
Saturn Awards March 8, 2026 Best Animated Film The Bad Guys 2 Nominated [54][55]
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Future

In June 2025, two months before the theatrical release of The Bad Guys 2 in the United States, directors Perifel and Sans revealed in an interview with Collider that they were planning a third film.[56] Sans and producer Damon Ross, however, would announce on their LinkedIn pages in October 2025 and February 2026 respectively, that they were leaving DreamWorks Animation for Sony Pictures Animation, leaving the status of the project currently uncertain as of 2026.[57][58]

Notes

  1. As depicted in The Bad Guys (2022)

References

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