DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures are bringing The Bad Guys back to theaters with a CG-animated sequel in the works that will premiere on August 1, 2025. 

The first movie (pictured) earned US$250 million at the global box office with its story about five captured baddies who try to reform. The premise of the sequel sees them struggling to find acceptance as the good guys, and when a new crew comes onto the scene, it’s not long before they’re forced out of retirement to do one last heist. Pierre Perifel (The Bad Guys, Secrets of the Furious Five) will repeat as director, with DreamWorks’ Damon Ross producing. 

The next two years are looking light on big-budget animated feature releases for kids, and DreamWorks seems well-positioned to fill this gap with a promising slate that includes book adaptations The Wild Robot (September 20, 2024) and Dog Man (January 31, 2025), based on Dav Pilkey’s popular publishing franchise that has 60 million copies in print. 

The studio’s Kung Fu Panda 4 has already earned more than US$275 million since its March 8 release. But it could use some more strong performers coming down the pipe. Last year’s Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken failed to make back its budget at the box office, although it did attract a good audience with its February rollout on Netflix.