The Bad Guys is a media franchise of crime comedy films made by DreamWorks Animation, loosely based on the children's book series of the same name by Aaron Blabey. The franchise began with the 2022 film of the same name, and has since grown to include two prequel holiday specials, The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday and The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist, which were released on Netflix in 2023 and 2024 respectively. A sequel, The Bad Guys 2, and a prequel streaming series, The Bad Guys: The Series, were released in 2025. The franchise features the adventures of a gang of humanoid animals who operate as professional criminals in the face of extreme social prejudice against their species. Eventually, they are inspired to strive to change their ways and try to lead normal lives with the secret help of Diane Foxington, a retired criminal formerly "The Crimson Paw" turned State Governor. However, circumstances force them back to using their criminal skills, albeit in the spirit of more constructive goals.
Films
The Bad Guys (2022)
On July 22, 2017, Australia's The Daily Telegraph reported that several studios had expressed interest in adapting the series into a film. In March 2018, Variety reported that DreamWorks Animation would develop a film based on the book series, with Etan Cohen writing the screenplay. The following year, in October, it was reported that the film would be directed by Pierre Perifel in his feature directorial debut. The film was described as having "a similar twist on the heist genre that Shrek did on fairy tales, Kung Fu Panda did for the kung fu genre, and what Trolls did for the musical numbers of the franchise." The crew worked remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 28, 2021, the cast was announced with Etan Cohen, Patrick Hughes, and author Aaron Blabey set to serve as executive producers for the film. On October 7, 2019, it was reported that the film would be theatrically released in the United States on September 17, 2021, taking over the release date of Spooky Jack. In December 2020, the film was delayed with The Boss Baby: Family Business taking its original slot, though it was confirmed that it would get a new date "within the coming weeks" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, the release date was scheduled to April 15, 2022. In October 2021, it was pushed back again by one week to April 22. The film was slated to stream in the United States on the Peacock streaming service 45 days after its theatrical release, followed by its Netflix debut after Peacock's 4-month exclusive window. On March 1, 2022, Universal pulled the release in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Bad Guys 2 (2025)
In March 2022, Perifel said that he would love to do a sequel. Two years later, DreamWorks Animation officially confirmed a sequel with a release date set for August 1, 2025 in the United States. Perifel returned to direct and JP Sans, who served as head of character animation on the previous film, co-directed, with the cast reprising their roles. In addition, the film features new characters played by Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Brooks, and Maria Bakalova.
Pending third film In June 2025, two months before the theatrical release of The Bad Guys 2 in the United States, Pierre Perifel and JP Sans revealed in an interview with Collider that they were planning a third film. Sans and Ross, however, announced on their LinkedIn profiles in October 2025 and February 2026 respectively, that they had left DreamWorks Animation for Sony Pictures Animation, leaving the status of the project currently uncertain as of 2026.
Shorts
The Bad Guys in Maraschino Ruby (2022) A CG short film, The Bad Guys in Maraschino Ruby, was announced in the Blu-ray and Digital release. It was written and directed by head of story Nelson Yokota, and produced by Angie Howard while executive produced by Pierre Perifel, Damon Ross, Rebecca Huntley, and Michael Vollman.
The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis (2025) A short film titled The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis, premiered before the theatrical showings of Dog Man, and it was released on the digital release of The Bad Guys 2 on August 19, 2025 and on the 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD releases of The Bad Guys 2 on October 7.
Television series
The Bad Guys: The Series (2025–present)
On October 8, 2025, a prequel series, titled The Bad Guys: Breaking In was announced. It was inspired by the characters from the film and was produced by DreamWorks Animation Television, which premiered on Netflix on November 6, 2025. On March 4, 2026, it was announced that the second season of the series was retitled The Bad Guys: The Series, which premiered on Netflix on April 2, 2026.
Television specials
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (2023)
A prequel holiday special, titled The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday, inspired by the characters from the film was produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and was directed by Bret Haaland from Fast & Furious Spy Racers and executive produced by Haaland and Katherina Nolfi from Abominable and the Invisible City and Spirit Riding Free. The holiday special premiered on November 30, 2023, on Netflix.
The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024)
On July 10, 2024, it was announced that a new Halloween prequel special, titled The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist, inspired by the characters from the film was being produced by DreamWorks Animation Television, which premiered on Netflix on October 3, 2024.
In other media
Mr. Wolf and Foxington are playable characters in the 2023 crossover kart racing video game DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing.
Cast and characters
Reception
Box office performance
Critical and public response
References
