TL;DR: The Bad Guys is the rare "villain" movie that actually sticks the landing on redemption without being preachy. It’s got the kinetic energy of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and the "cool factor" of a heist film, making it a massive hit for the 6-12 crowd. With a high-stakes sequel hitting theaters in 2025 and a handful of Netflix specials already out, this franchise is officially the new gold standard for "reformed" anti-hero stories.
Quick Links:
- The Original: The Bad Guys (2022)
- The Books: The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
- The Holiday Special: A Very Bad Holiday
- The Spooky Special: Haunted Heist
- The 2025 Sequel: The Bad Guys 2
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 "Cool" Factor: Unlike a lot of animated movies that feel like they're made for toddlers, The Bad Guys has a distinct, sketchy, hand-drawn-meets-3D aesthetic. It looks like a comic book come to life.
- The Humor: It’s a mix of sophisticated heist banter and classic kid humor (yes, there are fart jokes, mostly courtesy of Mr. Piranha).
- The "Bad but Good" Trope: Kids love a character who breaks the rules. Watching "villains" try to do good—and failing hilariously—is a lot more relatable to a ten-year-old than a perfect superhero who never makes a mistake.
- The Gadgets and Action: It’s high-energy. From high-speed car chases to elaborate hacking sequences by Ms. Tarantula, there isn't much "downtime" for a kid's attention span to wander.
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.
Ask our chatbot about the latest trailers and release dates for The Bad Guys 2
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:
- Role Modeling: The characters are criminals. They steal, they lie, and they manipulate—at least at first. The "goodness" is a journey, not a starting point. If you have a younger child who is prone to mimicking behavior, you might see them trying out some "tough guy" personas.
- Violence: It’s very much in the vein of The Incredibles or Despicable Me. There are explosions, car crashes, and some mild peril, but no blood or realistic injury.
- Language: Very mild. You’ll hear terms like "suck," "dumb," and "shut up," but nothing that would trigger a "parental advisory" in most households.
- The "Ick" Factor: There is a fair amount of bathroom humor (mostly involving Mr. Piranha’s "nerves" manifesting as flatulence). If your family has a zero-tolerance policy for fart jokes, this might be a tough watch.
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.
How to Talk About It:
- Ask: "Why do you think Mr. Wolf wanted to be good? Was it just to stay out of jail, or did he actually like helping people?"
- Ask: "Have you ever felt like people expected you to act a certain way just because of who your friends are?"
- Ask: "Do you think Mr. Snake is actually mean, or is he just protecting himself because he's afraid of being hurt?"
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.
- Watch the original movie on Peacock or Netflix (depending on current licensing).
- Check out the books from your local library—they are the ultimate "bridge" for kids who prefer screens over pages.
- Set a calendar reminder for August 2025 for the sequel.
Learn more about how to balance "brain rot" vs. "high-quality" animation
Check out our guide to the best graphic novels for kids