Honestly, if you’re like me, you probably walked out of the first movie whistling that catchy theme song and wondering how long we’d have to wait for the sequel. Well, the wait is actually over. If you are looking for when does Bad Guys 2 come out in theaters, the answer is that it already had its big moment on the big screen.
DreamWorks officially released The Bad Guys 2 in U.S. theaters on August 1, 2025.
It was a massive summer hit. The "Crimson Paw" lore, the heist energy, and that specific sketchy-but-slick animation style—everything people loved about the 2022 original—came back for the second round. If you missed the theatrical window, don't sweat it. The movie has already transitioned through its digital and physical release phases, and it’s currently making waves on streaming platforms.
The Bad Guys 2 Release Date and Beyond
Even though the theatrical run wrapped up, the timeline for this movie was pretty fast-paced. Universal and DreamWorks didn't waste much time getting the crew from the big screen to your living room. Following that August 1 theatrical debut, the film hit digital stores (like Apple TV and Vudu) on August 19, 2025.
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Physical media fans got their 4K and Blu-ray copies on October 7, 2025.
And for those who prefer the subscription life, the movie landed on Peacock on November 21, 2025. Because of the deal Universal has, it’ll likely spend some time on Peacock before eventually swinging over to Netflix later in 2026. Basically, if you want to see it right now, you’ve got options.
What actually happened in the sequel?
Without spoiling the whole thing, the plot centers on the gang trying to navigate their new lives as "Good Guys." It turns out being good is kind of... boring? Or at least, it’s a lot more paperwork than they expected. The conflict kicks off when an all-female squad of criminals—the Bad Girls—drags them out of retirement for one last job.
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We got some heavy hitters joining the cast too. Danielle Brooks (from Orange Is the New Black) voiced Kitty Kat, the leader of the new rival crew. Natasha Lyonne and Maria Bakalova also joined as members of the Bad Girls. Seeing Sam Rockwell’s Mr. Wolf go toe-to-toe with a new set of pros was easily the highlight of the film for most fans.
Why the Release Schedule Shifted
Animation is a slow game. People often wonder why it takes three or four years for these sequels to pop up. For The Bad Guys 2, DreamWorks had to balance this production with other massive projects like Dog Man (which came out earlier in 2025) and the upcoming Shrek 5.
Pierre Perifel returned to direct, which was a huge relief for fans of the first film's visual flair. He’s gone on record saying he wanted to push the "Lupin III" inspired vibes even further in this one. That level of detail takes time. The movie ended up grossing over $230 million worldwide, proving that the August release slot was a smart move by Universal.
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Where can you watch it in 2026?
Since we are now in early 2026, the theatrical window is firmly closed. You won't find it at your local AMC or Regal unless there's a random budget theater doing a double feature.
- Peacock: This is the primary streaming home for now.
- Netflix: Keep an eye out. Based on previous DreamWorks deals, it usually hits Netflix about 4-6 months after the Peacock debut.
- VOD: You can rent or buy it on basically any platform (Amazon, Google Play, etc.).
What's Next for the Franchise?
If you’ve already seen the second one and you're already asking about a third, there's some good news. There are very credible rumors—and some leaked production schedules—pointing toward a third film potentially landing in September 2027. DreamWorks has an "Untitled Event Film" slated for that window, and after the box office success of the second movie, Mr. Wolf and the gang are the most likely candidates for that slot.
There's also a prequel series called The Bad Guys: Breaking In that hit Netflix in late 2025, so there is plenty of content to chew on while we wait for more news on a big-screen return.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to catch up or dive deeper:
- Check Peacock first: If you have a subscription, that’s your cheapest way to watch the sequel right now.
- Look for the "Haunted Heist": If you missed it, there’s a Halloween special on Netflix that’s actually canon and bridges some of the character gaps.
- Follow Aaron Blabey: The author of the original books is always dropping hints about where the story might go next, and the movies have started pulling more obscure references from the later books.
The Bad Guys haven't just gone straight; they've become a legitimate powerhouse franchise for DreamWorks. It's rare for a sequel to keep the same energy as the original, but this one managed to pull it off without losing its soul.