Bad Guys 2

It’s the official sequel to The Bad Guys (2022), produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film was directed by Pierre Perifel with co-direction by JP Sans and features voices from Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, Maria Bakalova, and others.
In this installment, the formerly villainous team tries to go legit but gets coerced into one last globe-trotting heist—this time by an all-female villain squad known as “The Bad Girls”

Premise
The reformed animal criminals—Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, Mr. Piranha, and Ms. Tarantula—find themselves in a bind when the villainous all-female gang known as the Bad Girls recruits them for one last high-stakes heist.
Cast & Creator Team
Returning favorites Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos reprise their roles alongside new additions like Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova. Directed by Pierre Perifel (with JP Sans co-directing), and written by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen.
Tone & Highlights
Expect a mix of witty, slapstick humor with grown-up-savvy jokes (yes, there are fart gags), globe-trotting heists, and even a space-set climax—and yes, there’s a “MacGuffinite” or two for mischief.

Positive Reviews
- The Guardian praises its improved humor, pacing, and heart, notably starting with a flashback car chase in Cairo and delivering clever gags with a stronger message about friendship.
- The Times hails it as a lively, clever sequel, packed with twists and playful scenes—wrestlers and moon rockets included.
- The Week calls it a rare case of a sequel outpacing the original, commending its storytelling, hand-drawn-style visuals, and energetic tone
Mixed to Critical Views
- The Washington Post enjoyed its self-aware humor and moral complexity, praising it as a fun crime caper with layered themes.
- AP News criticized it for being overly wild, convoluted, and tonally unsteady—saying it loses some of the original’s charm despite its kinetic animation

Behind the Scenes
Danielle Brooks based her performance as Kitty Kat (leader of the Bad Girls) on Christoph Waltz’s tense, calm villain in Inglourious Basterds, aiming to bring that sly, controlled menace—and she’s channeling it in this animated sequel.
Viewer Voices
On Reddit, fans expressed excitement about seeing Wolf back in action: “I saw the trailer in theaters … genuinely got so happy to see Wolf on the big screen, I’m so hyped.”
Another fan likened the film to Mission: Impossible meeting Zootopia, praising its gorgeous and dynamic animation

UPs Cineplex