Written by: Jay Heilman (7/29/2025)
When I took my kids to see DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys in theaters back in the spring of 2022, I went in with minimal expectations—mostly thinking about how I was going to “entertain” my children for the next hour and a half. But as the credits rolled, I found myself genuinely surprised: I actually enjoyed that movie a lot more than I thought I would!
Not only was it funny, but the humor felt refreshingly clean—free from the adult innuendos and double entendres that have often filled past DreamWorks animated films. The “bad guys” turned out to be not so bad after all, and the film even offered a meaningful teaching moment for my kids: in life, you’re faced with choices, and it’s up to you to make the right ones.
What I didn’t know at the time was that even before the first movie hit theaters, director Pierre Perifel had already begun work on its sequel, The Bad Guys 2 – hitting theaters August 1, 2025.
The entire cast from the original film returns for The Bad Guys 2, including Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Snake (Marc Maron), Tarantula (Awkwafina), Shark (Craig Robinson), Piranha (Anthony Ramos), Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz), and Chief Luggins (Alex Borstein). Joining them are three newcomers—Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), Doom (Natasha Lyonne) and Pigtail (Maria Bakalova)—who round out the film’s core lineup.
The story picks up some time after the events of the first film, with the crew struggling to find honest work following their last “run with the law.” Still trying to maintain their new identities as “good guys,” they find themselves pulled back into the world of crime—this time by a mysterious new gang using the past of a close friend against them, to force them all into yet another heist.
Much like the original, this sequel digs even deeper into the moral tug-of-war: can Wolf, Snake, Tarantula, Shark, and Piranha really leave their criminal ways behind and walk (or slither) the straight and narrow? What stands out this time is the film’s emphasis on “undying loyalty” – a theme that really shines as the team is challenged to protect the reputation of one of their own.
While the film is rated PG for action, mild violence, rude humor, and language, it does have a slightly edgier tone than the first. Parents should note that early in the film, Wolf is called a “jacka$$” for not driving an eco-friendly vehicle. Beyond that, the dialogue remains relatively clean and family-friendly.
In the end, my kids had a great time watching it. Though The Bad Guys 2 doesn’t lean into any direct faith-based themes, the message of not judging others by appearances, along with the importance of friendship and loyalty, offers another teaching moment for parents and younger viewers alike.
The Bad Guys 2 is pure animated comedic gold—a fun-filled thrill ride from beginning to end. Without question, this film is a must-see!
4/5
