When The Bad Guys hit theaters in 2022, it was a sleeper success — a stylish, zippy animated heist comedy that charmed kids and adults alike. Now, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are betting on even bigger returns with The Bad Guys 2, which hits theaters nationwide on August 1, 2025.
According to a recent report from Box Office Theory, the sequel is expected to pull in between $26 million and $35 million during its opening weekend, with domestic earnings projected between $101 million and $143 million. These figures would easily surpass the first film’s $97 million U.S. haul, reflecting growing excitement around the franchise and an advantageous release window.
Strategic Timing Gives the Bad Guys an Edge
One of the key reasons analysts expect a strong box office performance is the lack of direct competition in the family animation space. While Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens just a week prior, that film targets a broader, older audience. Meanwhile, Freakier Friday, a Disney family comedy set for August 8, might appeal to similar demographics — but it’s live-action and skews older than the core animated crowd.
Box Office Theory’s June 20 forecast pointed out that The Bad Guys 2 enters a release calendar “absent much in the way of animation through fall,” giving it a clear runway for multiple weekends. With over 40 million views on its official trailer, it’s evident that anticipation is building for Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, and the rest of the gang.
Returning Cast and New Villains Spice Up the Sequel
Director Pierre Perifel returns alongside new co-director JP Sans, and much of the original voice cast is back, including Sam Rockwell (Mr. Wolf), Marc Maron (Mr. Snake), Craig Robinson (Mr. Shark), Anthony Ramos (Mr. Piranha), and Awkwafina (Ms. Tarantula). Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, and Richard Ayoade also reprise their roles, while Natasha Lyonne, Maria Bakalova, and Danielle Brooks join the villain lineup as Doom, Pigtail, and Kitty Kat.
The plot picks up after the gang’s failed attempt at normalcy in society. After realizing that a nine-to-five life isn’t for them, the crew is pulled into another high-stakes mission. Meanwhile, a trio of new villains tries to claim the title of “World’s Most Notorious Criminals.” The film also includes a cheeky nod to real-world billionaire figures, leaning into satirical fun.
A Bigger, Bolder Heist Adventure Behind the Scenes
Like any good sequel, The Bad Guys 2 aims to go bigger — not just in story scope, but in animation and storytelling. While Perifel admits to feeling the pressure of following up a surprise hit, he and Sans doubled down on what made the original work: expressive character animation, slick action sequences, and a stylized visual tone.
Animation work was split between DreamWorks’ Glendale studio and Sony Pictures Imageworks in Canada, with around 60 animators in total. The production strategy allowed for ambitious set pieces like a lucha libre wrestling match and an over-the-top wedding heist, which Perifel says felt like “mini-movies within the movie.”
Head of story Katherine de Vries helped anchor the sequel’s emotional core while exploring new character arcs — including Mr. Wolf’s job-hunting woes and Mr. Snake’s unexpected romantic subplot. The animation team also pushed the visual style slightly beyond the original, occasionally breaking “on-model” to deliver more expressive poses for comedic or dramatic effect.
Can ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Steal the Animated Spotlight?
With no other major animated features scheduled for August or September, The Bad Guys 2 seems poised for a strong theatrical run. If it can deliver the same charm and spectacle as the first film — and capitalize on its broad family appeal — it may end the summer as one of the biggest animated box office stories of 2025.
Perifel himself is optimistic: “We managed to make a sequel that fits in really well with where we left the first one but yet elevates the scope, the look, and the size of the franchise,” he says. “It’s such a great transition to a potential third one.”
Universal Pictures releases The Bad Guys 2 on August 1, 2025, in theaters nationwide. Buckle up — the gang’s back, and the stakes have never been higher.
