DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures have announced their collaboration on a highly-anticipated sequel to the CG-animated hit, “The Bad Guys,” set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025. The first film, which grossed an impressive $250 million globally, captivated audiences with its tale of five reformed villains striving for redemption.
Directed by Pierre Perifel, who helmed the original film, and produced by DreamWorks’ Damon Ross, the sequel promises to continue the thrilling journey of the unlikely heroes. This time, the Bad Guys find themselves struggling to earn acceptance as good guys. However, when a new group of antagonists emerges, they are reluctantly pulled out of retirement for one last heist.
With the upcoming release, DreamWorks Animation aims to fill a void in the market for big-budget animated features for children over the next two years. Their slate includes adaptations of popular books such as “The Wild Robot,” hitting theaters on September 20, 2024, and “Dog Man,” based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved franchise, scheduled for January 31, 2025. Pilkey’s series has sold over 60 million copies worldwide, indicating a strong built-in audience.
Despite recent successes like “Kung Fu Panda 4,” which has already grossed over $275 million since its March 8 debut, the studio is keen on bolstering its lineup with more blockbuster hits. While “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” failed to meet box office expectations last year, its February release on Netflix garnered a solid viewership.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming releases, fans eagerly await the return of “The Bad Guys” and the thrilling adventures that await this band of reformed villains.