The Bad Guys 2
Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 1, 2025 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
13
Mixed:
9
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The TelegraphTim RobeyJul 25, 2025
Anyone interested in animation needs to pay attention to what these films are doing. The writing formula may be crude, but the whiz-bang aesthetic is sensational. Read full review
80
Little White LiesDavid JenkinsJul 25, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 wipes the floor with the original which, in hindsight, looks like a scrappy work in progress. Read full review
75
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanJul 31, 2025
It’s a larky bunch of malarkey, laced with just enough moral complexity — washed down with car chases and capers — to set your own tush a-twitching. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubMatt DonatoJul 31, 2025
What The Bad Guys 2 has to say about turning over a new leaf isn’t profound, but it’s effective nonetheless, especially when accentuated by so many goofy laughs and sticky-fingered thrills. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeOdie HendersonJul 30, 2025
Directors Pierre Perifel and JP Sans keep the action moving while allowing the performers and the animators to shine. Read full review
73
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzJul 30, 2025
Whenever Rockwell’s purr comes on, which is often given Mr. Wolf’s central role, the whole affair sings, uniting both children who are naturally entranced by the actor’s delivery and adults who get Oscar-calibre work in an otherwise forgettable kiddie flick. Read full review
70
IGNRyan GaurAug 1, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 provides more of what made its predecessor great, but doesn’t improve enough on its predictable plot. Read full review
70
ColliderRoss BonaimeAug 1, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 is a gorgeous, fun animated film that occasionally spreads itself too thin. Read full review
70
The New York TimesGlenn KennyJul 31, 2025
The directors Pierre Perifel and JP Sans put the narrative across with a blithe bounciness, and the all-star voice actors play along nicely. Read full review
70
VarietyOwen GleibermanJul 24, 2025
If you let yourself get on that wavelength of frisky innocence, The Bad Guys 2 exerts a wholesome and slightly mischievous appeal. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckJul 24, 2025
It smacks of overkill, but fortunately the film, smartly directed by Pierre Perifel, also features the same wit and charm that proved so appealing to youngsters and adults alike in the first movie. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreAug 1, 2025
If The Bad Guys 2 isn’t as hilarious as “Bad Guys 1,” it’s still got lots of giggles provided by a steller, comical voice cast providing a big part of the soundtrack to some genuine Tex Avery style eyeball-popping, gonzo, in-your-face animation. Read full review
63
The Seattle TimesHayden MearsJul 30, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 is not as fun or slick as it thinks it is — especially in its emotionally underwhelming yet visually dazzling third act — but it still carries just enough charm to warrant a trip to the theater. Read full review
60
Time OutAndrzej LukowskiJul 25, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 gets a bit high on its own supply; there are moments of indulgence. But to a large extent that’s because Perifel and co know they’re onto a good thing. Read full review
60
The Irish TimesDonald ClarkeJul 25, 2025
One remains puzzled as to what these films want to be. Not nearly enough is done with the animal natures of the heroes. Read full review
60
EmpireKambole CampbellJul 25, 2025
Though it can be predictable and a little simple, The Bad Guys 2 smooths over some of the frustrations of the first — bringing a sharper and (slightly) more mature sense of humour to its compellingly cartoonish animation. Read full review
60
The GuardianCath ClarkeJul 24, 2025
There’s more wit and energy this time around, and a genuinely sweet message about friendship. Even the fart joke (every kids’ movie must have at least one) was a cut above and had the adults giggling. Read full review
60
The IndependentClarisse LoughreyJul 24, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 has just enough wit and spirit that you can take your kids to see it without feeling like you’re doing a disservice to their intellectual development. Read full review
57
TheWrapWilliam BibbianiJul 24, 2025
It’s not bad, guys. But guys, it’s not good. Read full review
56
Paste MagazineJesse HassengerJul 31, 2025
Like a lot of sequels, it feels the need to go bigger and brasher even as it repeats much of its predecessor. And so despite a streaky-canvas animation style that fuels the characters’ momentum, it eventually feels like a whole lot of pirouettes and flips around a security system that isn’t really there. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireJul 31, 2025
Eventually, though, the whole effort feels chaotic, crammed as it is with uninspired pop culture references and way, way too many fart jokes, even for a movie aimed at kids. Read full review
50
LarsenOnFilmJosh LarsenJul 30, 2025
The animated action in The Bad Guys 2 has the deftness and ingenuity of a Mission: Impossible movie, but in terms of storytelling, this follow-up to 2022’s The Bad Guys represents a step back. Read full review
38
The Associated PressMark KennedyJul 30, 2025
The Bad Guys 2 has clearly lost its moorings. Read full review
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