When my eldest was first discovering the joys of reading, there were a handful of books that immediately sparked her imagination. None stood out more than The Bad Guys series by local Aussie author Aaron Blabey. Across its sprawling 21-book run, the adventures of Wolf, Snake, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula became a nightly ritual in our house—whether she was reading them quietly to herself or insisting mum and dad join in on the fun. That blend of cheeky humour, anarchic energy, and heartfelt lessons cemented The Bad Guys as a staple of Australian children’s literature.

So, when DreamWorks released the animated adaptation in 2022, it felt like the perfect extension of Blabey’s world. The film became a surprise smash hit, bringing the misfit crew to life with fast-paced storytelling, sleek animation, and a tone that hit the sweet spot for kids and adults alike. Now, just three years later, The Bad Guys 2 arrives in cinemas, carrying the weight of expectation—and thankfully, it more than delivers.

The sequel picks up not long after the events of the first film. The Bad Guys, once feared across the city, are now reformed and trying to live on the straight and narrow. But as anyone who has ever tried to escape a bad reputation knows, society has a long memory. Their attempts to blend in with respectable life are hampered at every turn by suspicious stares, limited opportunities, and a lingering sense that maybe—just maybe—they were better at being villains.

Things spiral when a mysterious thief begins staging daring heists using the Bad Guys’ exact signature moves, framing them in the process. Suddenly, the group finds themselves public enemy number one again. In a desperate bid to clear their names, Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Shark (Craig Robinson), Piranha (Anthony Ramos), Snake (Marc Maron), and Tarantula (Awkwafina) team up with the authorities to catch the copycats. But the deeper they go, the more it becomes clear that the deck is stacked against them.

Enter a brand-new crew of criminals, led by the charismatic Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks). Alongside her lieutenants Doom (Natasha Lyonne) and Pigtail Petrova (Maria Bakalova), Kitty lays out an audacious plan involving a rare, highly unstable metal known as MacGuffinite. Their goal? To pull off the ultimate heist—one so audacious it makes anything the Bad Guys ever attempted look like child’s play.

It’s here that the film finds its strongest narrative hook: pitting the original Bad Guys against a new generation of villains who not only idolise their old exploits but want to use them as pawns in their scheme. This dynamic adds both humour and tension, as our heroes wrestle with whether they can truly change—or whether chaos is simply in their DNA.

Fans of the first film will be pleased to know that the entire voice cast is back. Sam Rockwell continues to nail Wolf’s smooth-talking charm, while Marc Maron brings just the right amount of cynicism to Snake. Awkwafina’s Tarantula remains the witty tech genius, with Craig Robinson and Anthony Ramos injecting big laughs as Shark and Piranha.

Zazie Beetz also returns as Governor Foxington, providing a much-needed voice of reason and moral compass. The interplay between Foxington and Wolf, in particular, adds depth to the story, grounding the more outrageous antics with moments of sincerity.

Directors Pierre Perifel and JP Sans push the animation team even further this time around. The action sequences are not only faster and slicker but also infused with stylistic flourishes inspired by anime. The opening heist sequence alone rivals some live-action blockbusters, combining kinetic energy, visual flair, and humour into one dazzling package.

One of the things that made the first film stand out was its layered humour, and The Bad Guys 2 keeps that balance intact. There’s plenty here for kids—slapstick, gross-out jokes, and the obligatory fart gags—yet also enough witty banter and meta humour to keep parents entertained. I’ll admit, as one of the dads in the cinema, there were several moments where I laughed far louder than my kids (and sometimes louder than anyone else).

The film never strays too far into crude territory, but it does embrace the mischievous energy that made Blabey’s books so addictive. That sense of playful rebellion ensures the tone never feels too safe or sanitized.

Beyond the gags and spectacle, the film continues to champion the themes that made the original so endearing: acceptance, tolerance, and the struggle to do the right thing even when the wrong path looks easier. These messages are delivered without heavy-handedness, making them accessible to children while still sparking meaningful conversations afterwards.

Parents will appreciate the way the film leaves space for discussions about reputation, redemption, and second chances. For kids, the lesson is simple but powerful: everyone deserves an opportunity to change.

Final Verdict

The Bad Guys 2 is a rare sequel that doesn’t just coast on the goodwill of its predecessor. Instead, it builds on the world, expands the character dynamics, and raises the stakes in ways that feel organic and exciting. It’s fast, funny, heartfelt, and visually dazzling—a perfect family outing that respects its audience, young and old alike.

For fans of the books, it’s another chance to see beloved characters spring to life. For parents, it’s a reminder of why these stories became bedtime favourites in the first place. And for kids, it’s simply a riotous, laugh-out-loud adventure.

The Bad Guys 2 hits cinemas on September 18. Grab the popcorn, buckle in, and prepare for a heist worth joining.