Kung Fu Panda 2#Critical response

Long ago, the peacock rulers of Gongmen City invented fireworks for peaceful purposes, but their son, Lord Shen, discovered that the black powder could also be weaponized. Troubled by Shen's obsession, his parents consulted a soothsayer, who foretold them that if he continued down this path, he would be defeated by "a warrior of black and white". Overhearing the prophecy, Shen deduced that the warrior would be a panda and, in an attempt to avoid his fate, he led his wolf army to exterminate the pandas across China. Horrified by the genocide, Shen's parents banished him.

In the present, Shen and his army raid villages for scrap metal to build cannons that Shen will use to conquer China. Meanwhile, Po has become a kung fu master and regularly fights crime across the Valley of Peace alongside the Furious Five, although Master Shifu warns him that he has not yet achieved inner peace. When Shen’s army raids another village, Po and the Five intercept them, but a symbol on the leader's armor resembling a red eye gives Po a memory of when he last saw his mother. Po consults his father, Mr. Ping, who reveals that he found Po as a cub in a shipment of radishes outside his restaurant and adopted him when no one came to claim him. Po and the Five are dispatched to Gongmen City after learning that Shen killed Master Thundering Rhino, a city regent, with one of the cannons. Shen imprisons the other regents, Masters Ox and Croc, and takes over the city, but the soothsayer constantly reminds him of the prophecy.

Upon arriving in Gongmen City, Po and the Five free Master Ox and Croc, who refuse to help. Po and the Five feign surrender to Shen, secretly replacing Mantis with an action figure while the real Mantis frees the others. They destroy the prototype cannon, but Po sees the same familiar symbol on Shen's plumage, distracting him long enough for Shen to escape and destroy Gongmen Palace with multiple cannons. After escaping, Tigress confronts Po, who reveals that he remembers seeing Shen when he last saw his biological parents. Tigress sympathizes but worries that Po's lack of focus will get him killed. The Five abandon him for his safety and proceed to destroy Shen's cannon factory.

Po follows the Five to the factory and confronts Shen, inadvertently ruining their plan and allowing the Five to be captured. Shen lies, claiming Po's parents never loved him, and shoots him afar with a cannon. Badly wounded but alive, Po floats downriver and is rescued by the soothsayer, who nurses him back to health in the village where he once lived as an infant and encourages him to embrace his past. Po, finally achieving inner peace, remembers his father fighting off the army while his mother hid him in the radish crate, drawing off Shen's army so he could survive. Rejuvenated, Po returns to Gongmen City, where Shen is sailing downriver with his army and a fleet of warships. Po frees the Five, and with the help of Masters Ox, Croc, and Shifu, they destroy the foremost ships and prevent the army from reaching the harbor. Shen fires the cannon on his flagship, killing most of his own soldiers to clear the way.

Everyone is injured by the blast except Po, who stands alone against Shen, using his newfound inner peace skills to deflect the cannonballs shot at him back at the fleet. After destroying all the ships and eliminating Shen's army, Po then uses the final cannonball to deflect it back at Shen's flagship, which explodes.

On the wreckage of the flagship, Po offers mercy to Shen, who rejects it and attacks Po with a spear. During the fight, Shen accidentally severs the lines holding up the destroyed cannon, which falls and crushes him. Shifu and the Five congratulate Po and return to the Valley of Peace; Po reaffirms his identity to Mr. Ping as his adoptive father. Meanwhile, at a secret panda village in a mountain range, Po's biological father is revealed to have survived the genocide, and he senses his son is alive.{{efn|As depicted in Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)}}

{{Main|List of Kung Fu Panda characters{{!}}List of Kung Fu Panda characters}}

• Jack Black as Master Po, a giant panda and the Dragon Warrior.
• Liam Knight as Baby Po
• Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress, a South China tiger and leader of the Furious Five.
• Gary Oldman as Lord Shen, a leucistic peacock warlord.
• Michelle Yeoh as Soothsayer, a wise goat.
• Seth Rogen as Master Mantis, a Chinese mantis.
• Lucy Liu as Master Viper, a green tree-viper.
• David Cross as Master Crane, a red-crowned crane.
• Jackie Chan as Master Monkey, a golden snub-nosed monkey.
• James Hong as Mr. Ping, a Chinese goose and Po's adopted father.
• Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, a red panda kung-fu master and Po and the Five's mentor.
• Dennis Haysbert as Master Storming Ox, an ox.
• Jean-Claude Van Damme as Master Croc, a saltwater crocodile.
• Victor Garber as Master Thundering Rhino, an Indian rhinoceros.
• Danny McBride as Wolf Boss, a one-eyed wolf and Shen's second-in-command.
• Fred Tatasciore as Li Shan, a giant panda and Po's biological father (credited as "Panda Dad").
• Lauren Tom as Market Sheep
• Conrad Vernon as Boar

When Kung Fu Panda was released in 2008, DreamWorks Animation planned a second film with the subtitle Pandamonium,{{cite journal |author=Fiona |url=https://www.filmofilia.com/2008/10/01/kung-fu-panda-sequel-pandamonium-in-3d/ |title="Kung Fu Panda" Sequel "Pandamonium" In 3D |journal=FilmoFilia |date=October 1, 2008 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724083817/http://www.filmofilia.com/2008/10/01/kung-fu-panda-sequel-pandamonium-in-3d/ |url-status=dead }} which was changed by 2010 to Kaboom of Doom{{cite journal |url=http://www.budomate.com/kung-fu-panda-2-the-kaboom-of-doom/ |title=Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom |journal=Budomate |date=September 11, 2010 |access-date=June 19, 2011 |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612003629/http://www.budomate.com/kung-fu-panda-2-the-kaboom-of-doom |url-status=live }} before being wholly retitled to Kung Fu Panda 2. Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who was head of story for the first film, was hired to replace John Stevenson and Mark Osborne as director for the sequel when it became evident that they would not be returning for the sequel. The first film's cast members reprised their voice roles. As with every DreamWorks Animation film from Monsters vs. Aliens onward, Kung Fu Panda 2 was produced in DreamWorks's stereoscopic 3D technology.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, screenwriters and co-producers for the first film, returned to write and co-produce the sequel,{{cite journal |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/markets-festivals/kung-fu-panda-bears-3-d-sequel-1117993227/ |title=Kung Fu Panda bears 3-D sequel |journal=Variety |date=October 1, 2008 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108125334/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117993227 |url-status=live }} with Charlie Kaufman consulting{{cite web |last=Enk |first=Bryan |url=http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/05/14/charlie-kaufman-working-on-kung-fu-panda-2-script/ |title=Charlie Kaufman Working on Kung Fu Panda 2 Script |publisher=Blog.moviefone.com |date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028032725/http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/05/14/charlie-kaufman-working-on-kung-fu-panda-2-script/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Ryan |first=Mike |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2011/05/which-kung-fu-panda-2-jokes-did-charlie-kaufman-write.html |title=Which Kung Fu Panda 2 Jokes did Charlie Kaufman Write? |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=July 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730100315/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2011/05/which-kung-fu-panda-2-jokes-did-charlie-kaufman-write.html |url-status=live }} on the screenplay early in the development process.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/jonathan_aibel_glenn_berger_talk_kung_fu_panda_2_their_plans_for_king_lear/ |title=Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger Talk Kung Fu Panda 2 & Their Plans For King Lear-Like Candyland |publisher=Blogs.indiewire.com |access-date=August 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927143238/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/jonathan_aibel_glenn_berger_talk_kung_fu_panda_2_their_plans_for_king_lear/ |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}

In Kung Fu Panda 2, the production crew showed increased familiarity with Chinese culture. In 2008, after the release of Kung Fu Panda, DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, director Nelson, and other DreamWorks members, including production designer Raymond Zibach, visited Chengdu, which is considered the "panda hometown".{{cite web |url=http://news.sohu.com/20100920/n275171128.shtml |script-title=zh:来自大熊猫故乡的问候 |publisher=Sohu.com |access-date=May 29, 2011 |language=zh |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516144510/http://news.sohu.com/20100920/n275171128.shtml |url-status=live }} In addition to seeing real pandas at the Giant Panda Research Centre, the production-design crew learned about the local culture. Katzenberg has stated that the sequel incorporates many elements of Chengdu in the film.{{cite web |url=http://thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=291 |title="功夫熊猫2"融入更多中国元素 – Kong Fu Panda 2 incorporates more Chinese elements |publisher=Thinking Chinese |access-date=May 29, 2011 |language=en, zh |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721021919/http://thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=291 |url-status=live }}

The film's landscape and architecture also found inspiration from those found at Mount Qingcheng, a renowned Taoist mountain.{{cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-05/27/content_12594833.htm |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 to hit silver screen in China |work=China Daily |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530171004/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-05/27/content_12594833.htm |url-status=live }} In an interview with the China Daily, Zibach recounted that the Panda research center influenced the movie in a big way, as did their experience of holding a month-old panda cub named A Bao, which gave them the idea for baby Po in a flashback.{{cite news|last1=Yu Wei|first1=Zhang|title=The bear essentials|url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2011-10/28/content_13996577.htm|access-date=January 22, 2018|newspaper=China Daily|date=October 28, 2011|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506043002/http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2011-10/28/content_13996577.htm|url-status=live}} It also gave them the idea of featuring Sichuan food, such as Mapo tofu and Dandan noodles.{{cite web|title=Hometown of Kung Fu Panda Po in Kung Fu Panda 2 With Chengdu Origins Material Source Inspiration|url=http://chinagiantpanda.com/kungfupandachengdu/kungfupanda2.htm|website=chinagiantpanda.com|publisher=China Giant Panda|access-date=January 22, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032842/http://www.chinagiantpanda.com/kungfupandachengdu/kungfupanda2.htm|url-status=dead}} In an interview with Movieline, Berger stated, "We never really thought of this as a movie set in China for Americans; it's a movie set in a mythical, universalized China for everyone in the world."{{cite web |url=http://www.movieline.com/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2-writers-on-sequels-candyland-and-the-dreamworks-pixar-rivalry.php?page=all |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904111338/http://www.movieline.com/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2-writers-on-sequels-candyland-and-the-dreamworks-pixar-rivalry.php?page=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 Writers on Future Sequels, and Their Pixar Rivals |publisher=Movieline.com |access-date=June 8, 2011 }}{{cite news|title=Kung Fu Panda 3 Shows Scenes of Qingcheng Mountains|url=http://www.gochengdu.cn/travel/tour-guid/kung-fu-panda-3-shows-scenes-of-qingcheng-mountains-a2404.html|access-date=January 22, 2018|publisher=Go Chengdu|date=January 19, 2016|archive-date=January 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122234945/http://www.gochengdu.cn/travel/tour-guid/kung-fu-panda-3-shows-scenes-of-qingcheng-mountains-a2404.html|url-status=live}}

Kung Fu Panda 2 was screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in early May, before its commercial release.{{cite news |last=Collett-White |first=Mike |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cannes-jolie-idUSTRE74B45B20110512 |title=Jolie, Black seek "inner peace" in Kung Fu Panda 2 |work=Reuters |date=May 12, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184421/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cannes-jolie-idUSTRE74B45B20110512 |url-status=live }} In the United States, it premiered on May 22, 2011, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.{{cite news|last1=Gelt|first1=Jessica|title='Kung Fu Panda 2' movie premiere: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen laugh it up (Video)|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2-premiere-jack-black-angelina-jolie-dustin-hoffman-seth-rogen-laugh-it-up-in-hollywoo.html|access-date=September 27, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 23, 2011|archive-date=December 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223144957/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2-premiere-jack-black-angelina-jolie-dustin-hoffman-seth-rogen-laugh-it-up-in-hollywoo.html|url-status=live}} The film was widely released in the United States and South Korea on May 26, 2011, in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2011, and in Australia on June 23, 2011. It was also released in IMAX theaters in the EMEA region.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 2 Kicks Its Way Into Select IMAX 3D(R) Theatres Starting This Wednesday|url=http://www.cisionwire.com/imax-corporation-g/r/dreamworks-animation-s-kung-fu-panda-2-kicks-its-way-into-select-imax-3d-r--theatres-starting-this-wednesday,e235638|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119063524/http://www.cisionwire.com/imax-corporation-g/r/dreamworks-animation-s-kung-fu-panda-2-kicks-its-way-into-select-imax-3d-r--theatres-starting-this-wednesday,e235638|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013|access-date=May 7, 2012|newspaper=Cision Wire|date=May 24, 2011|author=IMAX Corporation}}

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 13, 2011, accompanied by the short film, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters, and an episode of the Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness television series.{{cite news|title=The Hilarious Global Smash Hit Kung Fu Panda 2 Becomes the Most Awesome Holiday Gift Pack on Blu-Ray™ and DVD Tuesday, December 13th|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-hilarious-global-smash-hit-kung-fu-panda-2-becomes-the-most-awesome-holiday-gift-pack-on-blu-ray-and-dvd-tuesday-december-13th-131104983.html|access-date=October 5, 2011|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation via PRNewswire|date=October 4, 2011|archive-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006111414/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-hilarious-global-smash-hit-kung-fu-panda-2-becomes-the-most-awesome-holiday-gift-pack-on-blu-ray-and-dvd-tuesday-december-13th-131104983.html|url-status=live}} As of February 2013, 6.5 million home entertainment units were sold worldwide.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-year-end-2012-financial-results-193371391.html|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2012 Financial Results|access-date=October 31, 2019|archive-date=October 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031172203/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-year-end-2012-financial-results-193371391.html|url-status=live}}

On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}}, based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's consensus reads: "The storyline arc may seem a tad familiar to fans of the original, but Kung Fu Panda 2 offers enough action, comedy, and visual sparkle to compensate."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 |access-date={{RT data|access date}} }}{{RT data|edit}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.{{cite Metacritic|id=kung-fu-panda-2 |type=movie |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 |access-date=July 23, 2021 }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an "A" grade on a scale of A+ to F.{{Cite web |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/weekend-box-office-kung-fu-panda-3-finest-hours-fifty-shades-of-black-1201692571/ |title='Kung Fu Panda 3' Gets Leg Up On Fierce 1st Quarter & Scores Record January Toon Opening – Monday B.O. Postmortem |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 1, 2016 |access-date=May 1, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412003904/https://deadline.com/2016/02/weekend-box-office-kung-fu-panda-3-finest-hours-fifty-shades-of-black-1201692571/ |archive-date=April 12, 2022}}

Variety called the film "a worthy sequel that gets an extra kick from the addition of dynamic 3D fight sequences",{{cite journal |last=DeBruce |first=Peter |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945290?refcatid=31 |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 |journal=Variety |date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108112332/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945290?refcatid=31 |url-status=live }} while The Hollywood Reporter similarly praised the film.{{cite journal |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/kung-fu-panda-2-review-191016#comments |title=Kung Fu Panda 2: Review |journal=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925021440/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/kung-fu-panda-2-review-191016#comments |url-status=live }} Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4, praising the sequel as superior to the original, and as an ambitious extension of the previous story.{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kung-fu-panda-2-2011 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812014925/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kung-fu-panda-2-2011 |url-status=live }}

Some critics noted the influences of executive producer Guillermo del Toro's works in the film's darker themes.{{cite web |last=Uhlich |first=Keith |url=http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/1456977/kung-fu-panda-2 |title=Kung Fu Panda 2: The second entry in the DreamWorks franchise turns on the dark |publisher=Newyork.timeout.com |date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828195148/http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/1456977/kung-fu-panda-2 |url-status=live }} Jim Tudor of TwitchFilm.net said that, with del Toro on board, the film "effectively probes deeper into Po's emerging hero's journey and personal issues, evoking a truly fulfilling Campbellian archetype, but also remains fully viable as mainstream entertainment suitable for all ages".{{cite web |last=Matthijs |first=Niels |url=http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2-review.php |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 Review |publisher=Twitchfilm.com |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828010314/http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2-review.php |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

As with the first film, the animation has been praised. Frank Lovece of Film Journal International described the film as "truly beautiful to behold", and stated that it "works on both aesthetic and emotional levels".{{cite web|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/reviews/major-releases/e3i4ce486bc354e47449480a58c0becb508|title=Film Review: Kung Fu Panda 2|author=Lovece, Frank|work=Film Journal International|access-date=May 29, 2011|archive-date=May 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530074015/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/reviews/major-releases/e3i4ce486bc354e47449480a58c0becb508|url-status=live}} Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "Panda 2 is not just wall-to-wall animation, it is artistry of the highest order".{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-kung-fu-panda-20110526,0,6038551.story|title=Movie review: 'Kung Fu Panda 2'|first=Betsy|last= Sharkey|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 26, 2011}}

Many critics praised Gary Oldman's voice acting and developed characterization of Lord Shen, with some comparing him favorably to Ian McShane's voice performance as Tai Lung in the first film. Angie Errigo of Empire called him "fabulous as the feathered fiend and his character animators do his performance proud with a stunning, balletic fighting style, the fan tail flicking with lethal fascination".{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136453 |title=Empire's Kung Fu Panda 2 Movie Review |work=Empire |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223074525/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136453 |url-status=live }}

The film grossed $165.2 million in the United States and Canada, along with $500.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $665.6 million. In total, 3D contributed approximately 53% of the film's worldwide gross.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation's CEO Discusses Q3 2011 Results - Earnings Call Transcript|url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/302171-dreamworks-animations-ceo-discusses-q3-2011-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single|access-date=October 31, 2013|newspaper=Seeking Alpha|date=October 26, 2011|quote=In total, 3D contributed approximately 53% of Kung Fu Panda 2's worldwide gross and this was even without the benefit of IMAX.|archive-date=November 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102064227/http://seekingalpha.com/article/302171-dreamworks-animations-ceo-discusses-q3-2011-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single|url-status=live}} Worldwide, it was the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2011,{{Cite web |title=2011 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716184857/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2011/ |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} and the 28th highest-grossing animated film. During its first weekend, it earned $108.9 million worldwide, ranking third behind Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and The Hangover Part II.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm|title=Worldwide Openings|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 1, 2011|archive-date=June 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165250/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm|url-status=live}} It was the highest-grossing film directed by a woman until Frozen two years later, as the well as the highest-grossing film directed solely by a woman until Wonder Woman.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/06/23/wonder-woman-will-become-the-highest-grossing-live-action-film-directed-by-a-woman/|title='Wonder Woman' Will Become the Highest-Grossing live-Action Film Directed by a Woman|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705231516/https://ew.com/movies/2017/06/23/wonder-woman-will-become-the-highest-grossing-live-action-film-directed-by-a-woman/|url-status=live}}

In North America, the film earned $5.8 million on its opening day (Thursday, May 26, 2011), ranking second behind The Hangover Part II.{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Brandon|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3173&p=.htm|title=Hangover 2 Rocks Thursday|work=BoxOfficeMojo.com|date=May 27, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724072439/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3173&p=.htm|url-status=live}} On Friday, the film earned $13.1 million, which was behind the first film's $20.3 million opening Friday.{{cite web|last=Barrett|first=Annie|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/28/box-office-hangover-kung-fu-panda/|title=Box office update: 'The Hangover Part II' adds another $30 mil on Friday|publisher=Insidemovies.ew.com|date=May 28, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=May 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530232852/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/28/box-office-hangover-kung-fu-panda/|url-status=live}} Over the three-day weekend (Friday-to-Sunday), the film earned $47.7 million, which was behind the first film's $60.2 million debut; it also finished second at the box office, behind The Hangover Part II.{{cite magazine|last=Barrett|first=Annie|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/29/box-office-update-hangover-kung-fu-panda/|title=Box office update: The Hangover Part II parties on with $86.5 mil 3-day weekend|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 29, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531004146/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/29/box-office-update-hangover-kung-fu-panda/|url-status=live}} The film made $13.2 million on Memorial Day, bringing its four-day weekend total to $60.9 million.{{cite magazine|last=Barrett|first=Annie|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/30/box-office-report-hangover-kung-fu-panda/|title=Box office report: The Hangover Part II rules record Memorial Day weekend with $105.8 mil|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 30, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=August 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816002133/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/30/box-office-report-hangover-kung-fu-panda/|url-status=live}}

Outside North America, the film debuted with $55.5 million on the same weekend as its North American debut, topping the box office in nine of eleven countries in which it was released. It ranked third overall, behind Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and The Hangover Part II.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3176&p=.htm|title=Around-the-World Brief: 'Pirates' Booty Grows, 'Hangover,' 'Panda' Sequels Open Strongly|website=Box Office Mojo|first=Gray|last=Brandon|date=May 31, 2011|access-date=June 1, 2011|archive-date=May 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511161846/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3176&p=.htm|url-status=live}} The film topped the box office outside North America on two consecutive weekends (its third and fourth weekend).{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3185|title=Around-the-World Brief: Panda Topples Mighty Pirates|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 12, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614023255/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3185|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3191&p=.htm|title=Around-the-World Roundup: Panda Victorious Again|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 22, 2011|archive-date=June 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623022154/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3191&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

In China, its highest-grossing market after North America, two different grosses were reported: a $19.3 million two-day weekend and a $16.7 million two-day weekend. Either way, the film set an opening-day record in the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kung-fu-panda-2-sets-194973 |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 Sets Chinese Box Office Records |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 14, 2011 |first=Jonathan |last=Landreth |date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905084729/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kung-fu-panda-2-sets-194973 |archive-date=September 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/06/china-weekly-box-office-523-529-kung-fu.html |title=China Weekly Box Office (5/23 – 5/29): Kung Fu Panda 2 scored the biggest opening day ever |publisher=Box Office Follower |access-date=December 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082502/http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/06/china-weekly-box-office-523-529-kung-fu.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }} It earned $93.19 million in total, making it the highest-grossing animated film released in China, surpassing the previous record-holder, Kung Fu Panda ($26 million).{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/07/china-weekly-box-office-0704-0710-wu.html|title=China Weekly Box Office (07/04 – 07/10): Wu Xia had a relatively disappointing start|publisher=Box Office Follower|access-date=December 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122103039/http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/07/china-weekly-box-office-0704-0710-wu.html|archive-date=November 22, 2011|url-status=dead}} It held the record until 2015, when it was surpassed by the Chinese film, Monkey King: Hero Is Back.{{cite web|last1=Amidi|first1=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi|title=Breaking: 'Monkey King' Breaks Chinese Record, Surpasses 'Kung Fu Panda 2'|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/breaking-monkey-king-breaks-chinese-record-surpasses-kung-fu-panda-2-116597.html|publisher=Cartoon Brew|access-date=July 26, 2015|date=July 26, 2015|archive-date=July 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728100649/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/breaking-monkey-king-breaks-chinese-record-surpasses-kung-fu-panda-2-116597.html|url-status=live}} The Asian-themed film scored the largest opening weekend for an animated film in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3176&p=.htm|title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Pirates' Booty Grows, 'Hangover,' 'Panda' Sequels Open Strongly|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 9, 2012|first=Brandon|last=Gray|date=May 31, 2011|archive-date=May 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511161846/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3176&p=.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3180&p=.htm|title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Pirates' Out-Class 'X-Men'|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 9, 2012|first=Brandon|last=Gray|date=June 6, 2011|archive-date=March 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309085643/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3180&p=.htm|url-status=live}} It became the highest-grossing film released in Vietnam, surpassing Avatar.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=kungfupanda2.htm|title=Kung Fu Panda 2|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 30, 2011|archive-date=July 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704072438/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=kungfupanda2.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/Pages/20110626/Phim-Hollywood-thang-lon-tai-Viet-Nam.aspx|title=Phim Hollywood thắng lớn tại Việt Nam|newspaper=Thanh Niên|access-date=June 27, 2011|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629010642/http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/Pages/20110626/Phim-Hollywood-thang-lon-tai-Viet-Nam.aspx|url-status=live}}

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File:Macys parade 2011 Thanksgiving in New York City - 14.jpg parade balloon at the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.]]

DreamWorks Animation has invested {{nowrap|$100 million}} in creating promotional partners and building up marketing for its films. For Kung Fu Panda 2, DWA had partnerships with McDonald's, AT&T, Best Buy, General Mills, Sun-Maid, Airheads, Hint Water and HP. The film's characters were used in products and advertising campaigns across various media. The studio also pursued social media efforts to promote the film.{{cite journal |last=Graser |first=Marc |url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/dreamworks-inflates-kung-fu-panda-campaign-1118035852/ |title=DreamWorks inflates Kung Fu Panda campaign |journal=Variety |date=April 25, 2011 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108112357/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118035852 |url-status=live }}

DWA partnered with House Foods America to brand its products, notably tofu, with advertising of the film. Variety reported that the partnership was the first ever between a film studio and a tofu company. The studio also enlisted the parade balloon of Po from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to tour in six cities, concluding with Los Angeles during Memorial Day weekend in late May 2011.

Merchandise was also produced for the film: Fisher-Price, THQ, Hallmark and Jem Sportswear. Publishers VTech, Penguin Books, Dalmatian Press and Ape Entertainment released books tied to the film.

{{Main|Kung Fu Panda 2 (soundtrack){{!}}Kung Fu Panda 2 (soundtrack)}}

Kung Fu Panda 2 is the soundtrack of the film,{{cite web |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 Soundtrack (2011) |url=http://www.soundtrack.net/album/kung-fu-panda-2/ |access-date=October 13, 2014 |publisher=Soundtrack.Net |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019130243/http://www.soundtrack.net/album/kung-fu-panda-2/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Kung Fu Panda 2 |url=http://www.hans-zimmer.com/index.php?rub=disco&id=1030 |access-date=October 13, 2014 |website=hans-zimmer |archive-date=June 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626145429/http://hans-zimmer.com/index.php?rub=disco&id=1030 |url-status=live }} collaboratively scored by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, and originally released May 24, 2011.{{cite web|title=Kung Fu Panda 2|url=http://www.varesesarabande.com/servlet/the-726/Kung-Fu-Panda-2/Detail|publisher=Varèse Sarabande|access-date=March 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329181328/http://www.varesesarabande.com/servlet/the-726/Kung-Fu-Panda-2/Detail|archive-date=March 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Kung Fu Panda 2 (video game){{!}}Kung Fu Panda 2 (video game)}}

A video-game adaptation of the film was developed by Griptonite Games and published by THQ May 23, 2011. The game was released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS platforms. The plot takes place after the events of the film, and features Po and the rest of the Furious Five troubled by an evil group of Komodo dragon mercenaries. With the help of the other kung fu masters, Po has to uncover the plot behind this siege and put a stop to it.

{{Further|Kung Fu Panda{{!}}Kung Fu Panda}}

Kung Fu Panda 2 was followed by Kung Fu Panda 3.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |date=April 14, 2015 |title=Kung Fu Panda 3 Release Date Moves Up Two Months |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kung-fu-panda-3-release-788851 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417191205/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kung-fu-panda-3-release-788851 |archive-date=April 17, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} It became one of the highest-grossing animated films of 2016.{{Cite web |title=2016 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010084930/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2016/ |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} Kung Fu Panda 4 released on March 8, 2024.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=August 12, 2022 |title=DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 4 Is Happening; Universal Sets 2024 Release |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/dreamworks-animations-kung-fu-panda-4-is-happening-universal-sets-2024-release-1235091150/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816145106/https://deadline.com/2022/08/dreamworks-animations-kung-fu-panda-4-is-happening-universal-sets-2024-release-1235091150/ |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/kung-fu-panda-2}}
• Kung Fu Panda 2 production notes at Paramount Pictures [https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120632/http://www.paramount.com/webmaster/assets/synopsis/65/12341304618551-kfp2-production-notes-final-5.4.11.doc archived] from the original [http://www.paramount.com/webmaster/assets/synopsis/65/12341304618551-kfp2-production-notes-final-5.4.11.doc site] on September 27, 2011
• {{IMDb title|1302011|Kung Fu Panda 2}}
• {{rotten-tomatoes|kung_fu_panda_the_kaboom_of_doom}}

{{Kung Fu Panda}}

{{Jennifer Yuh Nelson}}

{{Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger}}

{{DreamWorks animated films}}

{{Paramount theatrical animated features}}

{{subject bar|portal1=Cartoon|portal2=Animation|portal3=Film|portal4=United States|commons=y|wikiquote=y}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 3D films

Category:2011 American animated films

Category:2011 comedy films

Category:2011 computer-animated films

Category:2011 directorial debut films

Category:2011 martial arts films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s martial arts comedy films

Category:3D animated films

Category:American 3D films

Category:American animated films about revenge

Category:American computer-animated films

Category:American sequel films

Category:American martial arts comedy films

Category:Animated films about talking animals

Category:Annie Award–winning films

Category:DreamWorks Animation films

Category:English-language action comedy films

Category:Films directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Category:Films scored by Hans Zimmer

Category:Films scored by John Powell

Category:Films with screenplays by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger

Category:Genocide in fiction

Category:IMAX films

Category:Kung Fu Panda films

Category:Kung fu films

Category:Paramount Pictures films

Category:Paramount Pictures animated films

Category:Wuxia films