The Bad Guys 2 (2025): Box Office Heist, Reviews & A Wild Animated Ride 🎬🐺💰

DreamWorks Animation has done it again—the notorious crew of lovable criminals is back with The Bad Guys 2, a stylish animated heist-comedy sequel that’s stealing hearts and box office numbers worldwide. Released on August 1, 2025, the film reunites the fan-favorite crew with an all-new high-stakes adventure, introducing fresh faces, bigger risks, and a plot that rockets (literally) into chaos.

But how has this sequel fared at the box office? And what are critics and audiences saying about it? Let’s break down the numbers, reviews, and why this film may have just pulled off another cinematic score.

🏆 Box Office Performance: Did the Bad Guys Strike Gold?

With an $80 million budget, The Bad Guys 2 launched strongly at the box office. Domestically, it opened with $22.2 million, surpassing industry expectations, and bringing in $44.5 million globally in its opening weekend.

By August 24, 2025, the film had raked in:

• $67 million (U.S. & Canada)

• $66 million (International)

• $133 million worldwide 🌍

While it didn’t reach the blockbuster heights of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the film still managed a solid run, proving there’s plenty of fuel left in this franchise’s getaway car. Its second weekend saw a predictable 53% drop with $10.4 million, sliding to fourth place—but holding steady with family audiences.

🎥 Reviews: Critics vs. Fans

The critical response has been largely positive, praising the film’s humor, voice cast, and daring story twists.

• Critics loved the fresh dynamic of teaming the Bad Guys with an all-female criminal squad, calling it a clever way to expand the universe.

• Animation fans praised the slick action sequences, particularly the space-station showdown with Kitty Kat and her crew.

• Some reviewers, however, felt the film juggled a bit too much in the third act, calling the rocket finale “chaotic but fun.”

Audiences, on the other hand, are thrilled. Many highlight the Wolf–Diane romance finally blossoming (“about time!” one fan tweeted), while others cheered the hilarious disguises and over-the-top heist set pieces.

🐺 Plot in a Nutshell (No Spoilers… Sort of)

After reforming from their criminal past, the Bad Guys struggle to find their place in society. But when a new mysterious thief, the Phantom Bandit, wreaks havoc, Wolf and the crew are pulled back into action—only to be blackmailed into joining forces with the cunning Bad Girls.

From rocket heists to betrayal, mistaken identities, and even a showdown in outer space, the sequel goes all-in. And yes—Wolf and Diane finally share their long-awaited kiss, sending fans into a frenzy.

As Mr. Wolf declares at one point:“Once a Bad Guy, always a Bad Guy… but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

🎭 Cast & Voices That Bring It to Life

The returning cast—Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, and Zazie Beetz—slip back into their roles seamlessly, while newcomers Danielle Brooks (Kitty Kat), Natasha Lyonne (Doom), and Maria Bakalova (Pigtail Petrova) add fresh energy.

Notably, Richard Ayoade’s Professor Marmalade steals scenes again—even as a bizarre space-bound guinea pig.

🎬 Final Verdict

The Bad Guys 2 may not have pulled off the biggest score at the box office, but it proves the franchise still has teeth. With stylish animation, witty humor, and a surprisingly emotional core, it’s both a crowd-pleaser and a worthy sequel.

👉 Box Office Scorecard: $133 million worldwide

👉 Critical Consensus: Fun, slick, slightly messy but worth the ride

👉 Audience Verdict: 4.5/5 stars—“A heist worth joining!”

So, whether you’re in it for the laughs, the action, or just the chaos of watching a wolf, a snake, and a shark pull off a space heist—The Bad Guys 2 delivers exactly what it promises: a criminally fun time.