Sequels are a gamble — especially when the first film was a sleeper hit that nobody saw coming. The Bad Guys 2 landed in US theaters on August 1, 2025, bringing DreamWorks’ reformed animal crew back for another round of heists and hijinks (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)). This guide covers where to stream it, what the PG rating really means for young viewers, and how the sequel measures up to the original.

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US Theatrical Release Date: August 1, 2025 ·
Netflix US Release Date: February 21, 2026 ·
Director: Pierre Perifel ·
Production Company: DreamWorks Animation ·
Distributor: Universal Pictures ·
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Official MPAA rating details (not yet published)
  • Critical consensus (limited early reviews only)
  • Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb
  • The Bad Guys 3 official confirmation
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • A third film is reportedly in development (Wikipedia)
  • No official DreamWorks confirmation yet (Wikipedia)
  • Box office tracking will determine sequel pace (Wikipedia)
  • Streaming performance on Netflix will shape home-viewing strategy (Wikipedia)

The table below lays out the essential identity details for The Bad Guys 2 — eight data points, one takeaway: this is a straightforward DreamWorks sequel with a clear release window and streaming plan.

Attribute Value
Title The Bad Guys 2
US Theatrical Release August 1, 2025
Netflix US Release February 21, 2026
Director Pierre Perifel
Production Company DreamWorks Animation
Distributor Universal Pictures
IMDb ID tt30017619
Netflix Title ID 82175765

Is Bad Guys 2 a hit or flop?

What is the box office gross of The Bad Guys 2?

  • The film earned $82.6 million at the US box office, according to Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) — a solid performance for an animated sequel.
  • Rotten Tomatoes categorizes the film as kids & family, comedy, adventure, and animation (Rotten Tomatoes).

What do critics say about The Bad Guys 2?

  • Early critical response is positive. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus describes the film as one that “ramps up the action and the distraction, earning this sequel a delightfully bad reputation” (Rotten Tomatoes).
  • The film is listed on IMDb with the identifier tt30017619, indicating an active entry with user ratings expected to populate.

“The Bad Guys 2 ramps up the action and the distraction, earning this sequel a delightfully bad reputation.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus

What is the Rotten Tomatoes score?

  • As of August 2025, a numeric Tomatometer score has not been published; the critical consensus is based on early reviews (Rotten Tomatoes).

The implication: With $82.6 million in domestic gross and early critical praise, The Bad Guys 2 avoids the sophomore slump. Families who liked the first film will find more of the same energy — and that seems to be working.

Is The Bad Guys 2 on Netflix?

Can I watch The Bad Guys 2 at home?

  • Yes — the film is available for digital download starting August 19, 2025 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • The Bad Guys 2 began streaming on Netflix in the U.S. on November 21, 2025, according to JustWatch (streaming guide), and is available with Netflix Standard with Ads.

Is The Bad Guys 2 on Disney+?

  • No — The Bad Guys 2 is a DreamWorks Animation title distributed by Universal Pictures, which means it streams on Netflix, not Disney+ (Rotten Tomatoes).

When does The Bad Guys 2 come to Netflix?

  • Official Netflix US release date is February 21, 2026, with Netflix title ID 82175765. This follows the standard DreamWorks window after theatrical and digital release.

The catch: Parents who want to skip theaters can wait for the Netflix debut, but the streaming date is months after theatrical release. For families eager to avoid spoilers, the digital download option (August 19) offers the earliest at-home path.

Is Bad Guys 2 inappropriate?

What is the age rating for The Bad Guys 2?

  • The MPAA has rated The Bad Guys 2 PG for “action/mild violence, rude humor, and language” (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
  • JustWatch also lists the film as PG (JustWatch (streaming guide)).
  • Kids-In-Mind confirms the MPAA rating and adds detail: several kissing and flirting scenes, discussions of relationships, and characters discussing lives of crime (Kids-In-Mind (parents guide)).

Is The Bad Guys 2 suitable for a 5-year-old?

  • Kids-In-Mind notes several scenes of vehicles speeding while being chased, a few fight scenes that leave characters with bruises, and a scene where characters cling to a rocket as it leaves Earth’s atmosphere (Kids-In-Mind (parents guide)).
  • The PG rating suggests parental guidance is recommended. For a 5-year-old, the action sequences and mild violence may be intense depending on the child’s sensitivity.

What does the Parents Guide say on IMDb?

  • IMDb hosts a Parents Guide for The Bad Guys 2 (2025) that details content categories including violence, language, and sexual references (IMDb (film database)).
  • Kids-In-Mind describes discussions of stealing and lives of crime as recurring themes in the film (Kids-In-Mind).

“The Bad Guys 2 contains several kissing scenes, flirting, and discussions of relationships alongside action sequences that may be intense for young children.”

— Kids-In-Mind parents guide

What it means for families: The PG rating covers action violence, language, and rude humor — typical for a DreamWorks heist comedy. Kids-In-Mind flags a few kissing scenes and criminal themes that parents of very young children may want to preview.

Was The Bad Guys 2 better than 1?

How does the sequel compare to the original?

  • Early critical response suggests the sequel matches the energy of the first film. Rotten Tomatoes describes it as “ramps up the action and the distraction” (Rotten Tomatoes).
  • No direct comparison data from official sources, but general consensus indicates it avoids the sophomore slump.

What are the ratings for The Bad Guys vs The Bad Guys 2?

  • The original film holds a Tomatometer score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the sequel’s score is not yet available (Rotten Tomatoes (original film)).
  • IMDb user ratings for the original average 6.7/10; for the sequel, ratings are still accumulating (IMDb).

What do critics say about the sequel?

  • Critics note that The Bad Guys 2 delivers more action and comedy, calling it “delightfully bad” (Rotten Tomatoes).

The early verdict: The sequel appears to hold its own against the original, with critics praising the increased action and humor. Families who enjoyed the first film are likely to enjoy this as well.

How does The Bad Guys 2 stack up against the 2022 original? The table below compares key metrics.

Metric The Bad Guys (2022) The Bad Guys 2 (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 88% Not yet available
IMDb user rating 6.7/10 Not yet available
US box office (opening weekend) $24 million ~$30 million (estimated)
Runtime 1h 40m 1h 44m
Director Pierre Perifel Pierre Perifel & JP Sans

Upsides

  • Positive early critical reception
  • Strong US box office performance ($82.6M)
  • Clear streaming path via Netflix and digital
  • Standard DreamWorks family-friendly tone

Downsides

  • Limited audience scores available
  • Netflix release delayed months after theatrical
  • PG rating may still have intense moments for young kids
  • Third film not officially confirmed

Is The Bad Guys 3 confirmed?

When will The Bad Guys 3 be released?

  • A third film has been reported to be in development, but no release date has been announced (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • Hollywood industry insiders suggest a 2027 or later release, dependent on box office and streaming performance.

What is known about The Bad Guys 3?

  • According to Wikipedia, a third film is reportedly in development, but DreamWorks has not made an official confirmation (Wikipedia).
  • No plot details or casting announcements have been made.

Has the studio confirmed The Bad Guys 3?

  • No — DreamWorks Animation has not officially announced a third film. The only sources are industry rumors and Wikipedia reports.

“A third film is in development, according to an industry source close to DreamWorks.”

— Hollywood scooper (anonymous)

The takeaway: While a third Bad Guys film seems likely given the sequel’s performance, fans will have to wait for an official greenlight from DreamWorks.

Additional sources

flicksided.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who voices the main characters in The Bad Guys 2?

The main voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos, reprising their roles from the first film. Source: IMDb.

Is The Bad Guys 2 on Prime Video or HBO Max?

No. The film is distributed by Universal Pictures and streams on Netflix in the US, not on Prime Video or HBO Max.

What is the runtime of The Bad Guys 2?

The film runs 1 hour and 44 minutes. Source: Rotten Tomatoes.

How can I watch The Bad Guys 2 online safely?

The safest way is through official platforms: digital download from services like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, or streaming on Netflix with a valid subscription.

Does The Bad Guys 2 include any jump scares?

No. The film is a comedy-adventure and does not contain horror elements. Kids-In-Mind does not mention jump scares.

What age is The Bad Guys 2 appropriate for?

Common Sense Media recommends ages 6+ for similar DreamWorks films. The PG rating suggests parental guidance for children under 8, especially due to action violence and mild rude humor.

Is The Bad Guys 2 a direct sequel to the first film?

Yes, it continues the story of the reformed animal crew after the events of the 2022 film.

Related reading: Lilo & Stitch (2025 Film) – Guide to Release, Cast and Streaming — another animated family film guide.

Also see: Movies on TV Today – Full Schedules by Channel & Time for more family movie options.