Think Ocean’s Eleven meets Zootopia. The franchise follows a crew of "scary" animals—Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula—who have spent their lives leaning into their bad reputations as world-class thieves.

The story kicks off when they get caught and, to avoid prison, Mr. Wolf strikes a deal to "go good." What starts as a cynical ploy to stay out of the slammer eventually turns into a genuine identity crisis: Is it better to be feared as a villain, or loved as a hero?

Based on the wildly popular graphic novels by Aaron Blabey, the franchise has expanded from a standalone movie into a legitimate cinematic universe, including Netflix specials and the highly anticipated August 2025 sequel.

If you’ve noticed your kid suddenly wearing a blazer or trying to act "smooth," you can probably blame Mr. Wolf. Here is why this franchise has such a grip on the current generation of elementary and middle schoolers:

The sequel, set for release in August 2025, is going to be a major cultural moment for kids. The plot centers on the crew struggling to maintain their "Good Guy" status when they are approached by an all-female squad of criminals (the "Bad Girls") who want them to pull off "one last job."

This is a classic heist movie trope, but for parents, it’s a great entry point into a conversation about peer pressure and staying the course. It’s easy to be "good" when things are going well; it’s much harder when your old life comes knocking with a shiny new opportunity to break the rules.

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Depending on your kid's age and interest level, here is how you should prioritize their viewing (and reading):

Ages 6-10. If you have a reluctant reader, these books are a godsend. They are graphic novels with minimal text and maximum visual storytelling. They are significantly weirder than the movies (there are aliens and multiverses involved), but they are a staple in almost every elementary school library for a reason.

Ages 6+. This is the core of the franchise. It’s safe, it’s funny, and the message about not judging a book by its cover—or a wolf by his teeth—is solid. There is some "cartoon violence" and heist-related tension, but nothing that will cause nightmares.

Ages 5+. A 25-minute Netflix special that serves as a prequel. It’s lower stakes and leans more into the "thievery" aspect, as the crew tries to pull off a heist during the city’s Christmas parade. It’s a fun, short watch if you need to kill half an hour.

Ages 7+. This Netflix special is a bit spookier. It involves a legendary crook's haunted mansion and some supernatural elements. If your kid is sensitive to "scary" imagery (ghosts, dark atmospheres), maybe pre-screen this one, but for most kids, it’s just "spooky-lite" fun.

Is The Bad Guys actually "bad"? Not really. But here are the things intentional parents usually want to know:

Check out our guide on managing "villain" content for younger kids

The most interesting thing about The Bad Guys isn't the heist—it's the psychology. Mr. Wolf has a great line: "We might be bad, but we’re so good at it."

For kids, especially those in the "middle years" (8-12), reputation is everything. They are starting to be labeled by their peers and teachers. The "smart kid," the "trouble kid," the "weird kid."

This movie handles the "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy" beautifully. The Bad Guys act like villains because that’s the only way the world sees them. When they finally get a taste of being "the good guys," it feels weird and uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding.

The Bad Guys is high-quality family entertainment that doesn't treat kids like they're stupid. It’s stylish enough for parents to enjoy (the soundtrack is genuinely great) and has enough depth to spark a real conversation about character and choice.

With the 2025 sequel on the horizon, now is the perfect time to catch up on the original and the Netflix specials. It’s a low-risk, high-reward franchise that fits perfectly into a "deliberate" digital diet.

Learn more about how to balance "brain rot" vs. "high-quality" animation Check out our guide to the best graphic novels for kids