The Bad Guys 2 set to dominate summer with bigger heists and new villains

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are bringing back the beloved criminal crew in The Bad Guys 2, set to hit theaters on July 31, just in time for summer’s biggest laughs. 

The sequel to the 2022 hit The Bad Guys promises even wilder antics, a globe-trotting heist, and a fierce new rival gang—The Bad Girls—forcing the reformed outlaws back into action.

Bigger, bolder, and badder than ever

The film follows Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) as they struggle to adjust to life as do-gooders—until a high-stakes heist pulls them out of retirement.

This time, the masterminds behind the chaos are The Bad Girls, led by the cunning Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), who outsmarts them at every turn.

Director Pierre Perifel returns with an even more ambitious vision, blending high-octane action with the franchise’s signature humor. One standout sequence involves the team stealing a rocket, complete with NASA-level realism and physics-defying chaos.

Why this sequel stands out

Laughs galore – The reformed criminals hilariously fail at normal life, from Mr. Shark’s disastrous wedding officiating to Mr. Piranha’s… gaseous mishaps in space.

Next-level action – The film pays homage to Mission: Impossible and James Bond, with a heist spanning from Earth to a space station.

All-star voice cast & music – Alongside returning favorites, Natasha Lyonne and Maria Bakalova join as new villains. Grammy-winning artists, including Busta Rhymes and Rag’n’Bone Man, contribute to the soundtrack.

A global phenomenon

Based on Aaron Blabey’s New York Times bestselling book series, The Bad Guys franchise has sold over 30 million copies since the first film’s release. With the original voice cast back and fresh faces adding new energy, The Bad Guys 2 is poised to be the must-see animated blockbuster of the summer.

The Bad Guys 2, blasting into cinemas on July 31.

Marco Lam (marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com)

Directed by: Pierre Perifel
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, Maria Bakalova, Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, Alex Borstein
Genre: Animated Action Comedy
Language: English
Running time: 105mins
Rating: I
Distributed by: Universal Pictures (Hong Kong) Ltd.