Everyone’s favorite reformed criminals are back—and this time, they’re not the only ones breaking the rules.
In The Bad Guys 2, the crew is dragged into a globe-trotting heist by a new gang of criminals: The Bad Girls. Based on the hit book series by Aaron Blabey—now with over 30 million copies sold—the sequel brings back the original all-star cast: Sam Rockwell as smooth-talking leader Mr. Wolf, Marc Maron as sarcastic safe-cracker Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson as shape-shifting Mr. Shark, Anthony Ramos as hot-headed Mr. Piranha, and Awkwafina as the tech-savvy hacker Ms. Tarantula, aka “Webs.”
Joining them are three new power players: Danielle Brooks as Kitty Kat, a cunning snow leopard and leader of the Bad Girls; Maria Bakalova as Pigtail, a brilliant wild boar engineer; and Natasha Lyonne as Doom, a sly raven with a knack for deception.
Director Pierre Perifel returns alongside familiar voices including Zazie Beetz as Governor Diane Foxington, Richard Ayoade as the smug Professor Marmalade, Alex Borstein as now-Commissioner Misty Luggins, and Lilly Singh as over-the-top reporter Tiffany Fluffit.
I really loved the first Bad Guys movie, and I’m happy to say this sequel delivers on every level.
The humor is fast, funny, and totally in your face. I was laughing through most of the film—not just from the visuals, but from the sharp writing and clever dialogue. There’s a great mix of slapstick, quick one-liners, and a few moments that only the adults in the room are going to catch. And trust me—there’s one particular moment that had me laughing way harder than I expected. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say… brush up on your Hitchcock.
The story steps things up from the first movie. There’s more going on than just a single heist—it’s a layered narrative filled with twists, double-crosses, and character-driven tension. The addition of the Bad Girls shakes up the dynamic in a really fun way, and it challenges the Bad Guys to grow—or at least try not to backslide into their old habits.
Character development is a big win here. Mr. Wolf continues to wrestle with the idea of what it means to be good, and the film gives him some genuinely emotional beats. Snake, as always, brings sarcasm and skepticism but also gets some surprisingly heartfelt moments. Even Mr. Shark and Mr. Piranha get more room to shine beyond comic relief.
The animation is top-tier. It’s got that unique blend of hand-drawn flair and digital precision that made the first film stand out. The textures, motion, and visual timing are all on point—everything feels crisp and stylized in the best way. Action scenes are energetic but never confusing, and the film knows exactly when to slow down and let a moment breathe.
The pacing is tight, the soundtrack is fun, and the energy never dips. It’s a sequel that doesn’t just rehash what worked before—it builds on it.
And while the entire cast is fantastic, Sam Rockwell once again proves why he’s perfect for Mr. Wolf. He’s got that smooth, charming anti-hero energy that makes the character instantly likable—even when he’s making morally questionable choices. Rockwell nails it.
Hold your popcorn—don’t rush out when the movie ends! There’s a mid-credit scene you won’t want to miss. Once that plays, you’re good to go.
I also want to give a big thank you to Universal Pictures for the screening. Universal gets it. They understand that reviewers have families, too. They let us bring our kids, they provide popcorn and soda, and they actually make these screenings feel like an event. It’s not the first time they’ve done this for one of their family films, and it means a lot. Seriously, Disney—take notes.
The Bad Guys 2 opens only in theaters on Friday, August 1st.
Dan Kleiner