The Bad Guys (film)

In a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals co-exist, master pickpocket Mr Wolf leads the Bad Guys, an infamous gang of criminals: his best friend and safecracker Mr Snake, expert hacker Ms. Tarantula, master of disguise Mr Shark, and loose cannon Mr. Piranha.

After yet another brazen robbery and police chase, Governor Diane Foxington insults the gang's predictability. Wolf convinces them to steal the Golden Dolphin award, which will be presented to guinea pig philanthropist Professor Rupert Marmalade IV, who has helped rebuild the city from damage by a meteorite. Infiltrating the awards ceremony, Wolf feels good after inadvertently assisting an elderly woman, and his conflicted feelings delay the gang's escape, resulting in their arrest. To avoid prison and steal the award again, Wolf persuades Foxington to let Marmalade change the Bad Guys' criminal ways.

Marmalade's efforts to reform the gang are unsuccessful, culminating in a disastrous attempt to rescue guinea pigs from a research lab. Foxington nearly calls off the experiment but sympathizes with Wolf for acting like the "big bad villain" society expects of him. Wolf finds himself rescuing a cat from a tree, captured by Marmalade in a video that turns the gang's public image around, but Snake fears that Wolf is losing sight of their plan.

At Marmalade's charity gala, the gang execute another heist to steal the award. Wolf, having fallen in love with Foxington, is unable to do it and decides to reform. However, the meteorite is stolen instead, and the gang is blamed and arrested, while a remorseful Wolf gives Foxington the location of the gang's hideout full of stolen loot. Marmalade reveals to the gang that he stole the meteorite and arranged everything to frame them, including posing as the old woman at the awards ceremony.

In prison, Wolf explains that he believes a better life is possible, leading to a fight with Snake, who is convinced that society will always treat them as dangerous monsters. The gang is rescued by Foxington, whom Wolf realizes is the Crimson Paw, a former criminal mastermind. Wolf agrees to help Foxington stop Marmalade from using the meteorite as a hypnotic power source, but the others return to their hideout only to discover their loot is gone. Snake comforts Shark by giving him the last Push Pop, leading them all to realize that Wolf was right about a better life, but an angry Snake storms off in denial to ally with Marmalade.

Wolf and Foxington realize Marmalade is using the meteorite to control an army of guinea pigs, which he sends to rob his charity funds throughout the city. Foxington reveals that when she tried to steal the Golden Dolphin, she realized she was the type of person that society perceived her to be and left her criminal ways behind. Attempting to steal back the meteorite, Marmalade and Snake capture them. The rest of the gang arrives to rescue them, and they race to deliver the meteorite to the police but decide to bring Snake back first. Chased by the guinea pig swarm, Wolf is forced to surrender the meteorite when Marmalade kicks Snake out of his helicopter.

Reconciling with Snake, the police confront the gang, while Marmalade's mind control device is destroyed. Before Foxington can defend the gang by revealing her criminal past, Wolf and the others willingly turn themselves in. Marmalade tries to claim credit for recovering the meteorite, but Snake fakes his defection and swaps the meteorite with Marmalade's replica lamp. The machine destroys the meteorite, exposing Marmalade as the real thief, while Wolf frames him as the Crimson Paw, leading to Marmalade's arrest. As the police take the Bad Guys to jail, Wolf reveals that he left the Push Pop to prove there was good in Snake, and the gang happily accepts that they are now good guys.

In a mid-credits scene, the gang is released for good behavior after one year and joins Foxington to begin their new lives.

{{Multiple image|perrow=2.5|total_width=300

| image1 = Sam Rockwell (51492) (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Marc Maron (2015) (cropped).jpg

| image3 = Awkwafina, 2018 (cropped).jpg

| image4 = Craig Robinson WonderCon 2013.jpg

| image5 = Anthony Ramos (cropped).jpg

| footer = The titular group of criminal animals are voiced by Sam Rockwell (Mr. Wolf), Marc Maron (Mr. Snake), Awkwafina (Ms. Tarantula), Craig Robinson (Mr. Shark) and Anthony Ramos (Mr. Piranha) respectively.

}}

• Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, a witty, charming, pickpocket wolf and the leader of "The Bad Guys" gang, who also acts as the gang's getaway driver. He breaks the fourth wall at the beginning and the end of the film to explain things to the viewers.
• Marc Maron as Mr. Snake, a grouchy and cynical safe-cracking snake, Wolf's second-in-command, as well as his best friend.{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/the-bad-guys-cast-character-guide/|title=‘The Bad Guys’ Cast and Character Guide: Who's Who in the Animated Caper |website=Collider|date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=April 5, 2025|archive-date=January 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127090037/https://collider.com/the-bad-guys-cast-character-guide/}}
• Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula, a sharp-tongued tarantula and sarcastic expert hacker also known as "Webs".
• Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark, a childish great white shark and sensitive master of disguise.
• Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha, a short-fused, loose-cannon piranha and the "muscle" of the gang.
• Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade, a wealthy guinea pig philanthropist and scientist who mentors Wolf's group with doing "good deeds", but is secretly an evil and greedy individual intending to steal from his own charity.
• Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington ({{aka}} The Crimson Paw), a red fox serving as the state governor; a former master thief turned good, and Wolf's love interest.{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/bad-guys-movie-crew-members-characters-books-explained/|title=Dreamworks' The Bad Guys: Every Crew Member Explained|website=Screen Rant|date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=April 5, 2025|archive-date=February 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224222342/https://screenrant.com/bad-guys-movie-crew-members-characters-books-explained/}}
• Alex Borstein as Misty Luggins, the hot-tempered human chief of police who is determined to arrest The Bad Guys at any cost.
• Lilly Singh as Tiffany Fluffit, a local human news reporter with the tendency to exaggerate her reports.

On July 22, 2017, Australia's The Daily Telegraph reported that several studios had expressed interest in adapting Aaron Blabey's book series The Bad Guys into a feature film.{{Cite web|first=Jordan|last=Baker|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/aaron-blabey-is-a-successful-childrens-authors-his-book-the-bad-guys-will-be-turned-into-a-film/news-story/fbe406297b9e6ad9e004ee575a25f685|title=Aaron's amazing tale picked up by Hollywood|date=2017-07-22|website=The Daily Telegraph|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008143414/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/aaron-blabey-is-a-successful-childrens-authors-his-book-the-bad-guys-will-be-turned-into-a-film/news-story/fbe406297b9e6ad9e004ee575a25f685|archive-date=2019-10-08|url-status=live}} In March 2018, DreamWorks Animation announced the development of a film based on the book series, with Etan Cohen writing the screenplay.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/etan-cohen-dreamworks-animation-bad-guys-1202722718/|title=Etan Cohen and DreamWorks Animation Developing 'Bad Guys' Film Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2018-03-09|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220094428/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/etan-cohen-dreamworks-animation-bad-guys-1202722718/|archive-date=2019-12-20|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/writer-etan-cohen-bringing-bad-guys-dreamworks-animation/|title=Writer Etan Cohen Bringing The Bad Guys To DreamWorks Animation|date=2018-03-11|website=Empire|first=James|last=White|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214022459/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/writer-etan-cohen-bringing-bad-guys-dreamworks-animation/|archive-date=2019-12-14|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/etan-cohen-adapting-bad-guys-books-dreamworks-animation-1093443|title=Etan Cohen Adapting 'The Bad Guys' Books for DreamWorks Animation|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|date=March 9, 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008151243/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/etan-cohen-adapting-bad-guys-books-dreamworks-animation-1093443|archive-date=2019-10-08|url-status=live}} The following year, in October, it was reported that the film would be directed by Pierre Perifel in his feature directorial debut, with Cohen and Hilary Winston set to co-write the film's script.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|title=DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2019-10-07|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205053635/https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|archive-date=2019-12-05|url-status=live}} Throughout the development of the film, the crew worked remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=How Animated Pics Like 'Tom & Jerry', 'SpongeBob Movie', 'Sing 2', Skydance's 'Luck' & More Are Working Through The COVID-19 Crisis|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/animated-movies-coronavirus-production-tom-and-jerry-spongebob-scoob-skydance-illumination-1202928961/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2020-05-08|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2020-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513030248/https://deadline.com/2020/05/animated-movies-coronavirus-production-tom-and-jerry-spongebob-scoob-skydance-illumination-1202928961/|archive-date=2020-05-13|url-status=live}} The film was described as having "a similar twist on the heist genre that Shrek did on fairy tales, and what Kung Fu Panda did for the kung fu genre". Winston was only credited for Additional screenplay material with Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs writer Yoni Brenner while the film was executive produced by Cohen, Blabey, and Foundation Media's Patrick Hughes.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/the-bad-guys-sam-rockwell-awkwafina-anthony-ramos-1235029280/ |title=Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina and Anthony Ramos to Star in DreamWorks Animation's 'The Bad Guys' (EXCLUSIVE) |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=July 28, 2021 |website=Variety |access-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806133453/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/the-bad-guys-sam-rockwell-awkwafina-anthony-ramos-1235029280/ |url-status=live }} The cast was announced on July 28, 2021. It also marked the first DreamWorks Animation film to have Lenovo as their preferred workstation partner, following the end of their association with Hewlett-Packard.{{cite web|url=https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/preferred-workstation-innovation-partner-for-dreamworks-animation/|title=Lenovo Becomes the Preferred Workstation Innovation Partner for DreamWorks Animation|work=Lenovo|date=2021-11-10|access-date=2025-03-07}}

The film's design was inspired by Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, with DreamWorks adopting a more illustrative and stylized aesthetic than their previous films. Character designs took inspiration from a mix of styles from directors such as Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, Michael Mann’s Heat, Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven, and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction. The film was also inspired by anime and manga series such as Sherlock Hound and Lupin III as well as the French-Belgian animated film Ernest & Celestine, due to how it influenced the approach to the characters.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=How 'The Bad Guys' shows off an animated Los Angeles in that spectacular car chase |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-25/bad-guys-los-angeles-animation-pierre-perifel |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520151650/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-25/bad-guys-los-angeles-animation-pierre-perifel |url-status=live }}

While most of the animation for the film was provided by DWA Glendale, Jellyfish Pictures, who previously worked with DreamWorks on How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming, Spirit Untamed and The Boss Baby: Family Business, handled the additional asset production services using proprietary softwares like Premo and Moonray, along with a new tool called Doodle – created for the 2D effects and for allowing the animators to move the lines around the character rigs. The film's opening diner scene, inspired by the similar opening scene from Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, is the longest one-shot in DreamWorks Animation history, lasting two minutes, 25 seconds and seven frames.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/exclusive-dreamworks-the-bad-guys-plots-a-criminally-fun-caper/|title=Exclusive: DreamWorks' 'The Bad Guys' Plots a Criminally Fun Caper|website=Animation Magazine|date=April 11, 2022|access-date=1 June 2022|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721122708/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/exclusive-dreamworks-the-bad-guys-plots-a-criminally-fun-caper/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.dailyhindnews.com/the-bad-guys-trailer-tarantino-for-kids-according-to-the-director-news/|title = The Bad Guys Trailer: "Tarantino for Kids!" according to the director - News|date = December 14, 2021|access-date = April 19, 2022|archive-date = May 4, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220504043350/https://www.dailyhindnews.com/the-bad-guys-trailer-tarantino-for-kids-according-to-the-director-news/|url-status = live}}

{{Anchor|Soundtrack|Score}}

{{Infobox album

| name = The Bad Guys (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

| type = film

| artist = Daniel Pemberton

| cover =

| alt =

| released = March 31, 2022

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio = DreamWorks Animation

| genre = Score

| length =

| label = Back Lot Music

| producer =

| chronology = DreamWorks Animation soundtrack

| prev_title = The Boss Baby: Family Business

| prev_year = 2021

| next_title = Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

| next_year = 2022

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Daniel Pemberton

| type = Soundtrack

| prev_title = Being the Ricardos

| prev_year = 2021

| title = The Bad Guys (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

| year = 2022

| next_title = Enola Holmes 2

| next_year = 2022

}}

{{Singles

| name = The Bad Guys (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

| type = film

| single1 = Good Tonight

| single1date = March 18, 2022

| single2 = Feeling Alright

| single2date = March 25, 2022

| single3 = Good Tonight (Party Pupils Remix)

| single3date = April 22, 2022

}}

}}

On June 22, 2021, Daniel Pemberton was signed to compose the score for the film, having previously composed the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.{{Cite tweet |user=DANIELPEMBERTON |last=Pemberton |first=Daniel |number=1407450200541704194|title=The news is now out there so this is probably a good time as any to say I've been working away for quite a while on a super fun big new animation feature from ⁦@Dreamworks and ⁦@UniversalPics:- "THE BAD GUYS" - }} A song "Good Tonight" written by Pemberton and Gary Go was made and released on March 18 by Back Lot Music, performed by Anthony Ramos, who does the additional lyrics with Will Wells. The album was released on March 31 with two other new songs included with "Good Tonight", includes a cover of "Feelin' Alright" by Elle King (released on March 25) and "Brand New Day" by The Heavy.{{cite web|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/03/17/the-bad-guys-soundtrack-album-details/|title=The Bad Guys Soundtrack Album Details|date=March 17, 2022|website=Film Music Reporter|access-date=April 24, 2022|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318064138/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/03/17/the-bad-guys-soundtrack-album-details/|url-status=live}} Director Pierre Perifel, producer Damon Ross and composer Daniel Pemberton recorded backup vocals on Brand New Day. Following the release of the film on April 22, a new remix of "Good Tonight" was released by Party Pupils.

Additionally, "Stop Drop Roll" by Can't Stop Won't Stop, "Howlin' for You" by The Black Keys, "Fly Me to the Moon" by Julie London and "Go" by The Chemical Brothers are heard in the film but not included in the soundtrack album. Furthermore, "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish was only featured in the trailers.

{{Track listing

| total_length =

| all_music = Daniel Pemberton, except as noted

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = The Big Bad Wolf

| length1 = 1:05

| title2 = Meet The Bad Guys

| length2 = 3:39

| title3 = Let's Bounce

| length3 = 3:08

| title4 = Push Pop

| length4 = 3:28

| title5 = Step 3

| length5 = 3:17

| title6 = Security Surprise

| length6 = 1:36

| title7 = The Dolphin Heist

| length7 = 4:38

| title8 = Going to Go Good

| length8 = 4:07

| title9 = Turn on the Charm

| length9 = 1:23

| title10 = Marmalade Prelude

| length10 = 1:32

| title11 = A Heist for Good

| length11 = 2:28

| title12 = The Sharing Laboratory

| length12 = 1:51

| title13 = Save the Cat

| length13 = 1:43

| title14 = Good Tonight

| writer14 = Pemberton, Gary Go, Anthony Ramos and Will Wells

| length14 = 3:41

| title15 = So Long Suckers

| length15 = 1:56

| title16 = The Lair of Loot

| length16 = 2:29

| title17 = Loot Loops

| length17 = 1:08

| title18 = Bedtime Story

| length18 = 2:06

| title19 = Double Crossed

| length19 = 4:09

| title20 = Tricky Fox

| length20 = 1:08

| title21 = The Crimson Paw

| length21 = 1:51

| title22 = Secret Hideout

| length22 = 2:19

| title23 = Evil Masterplan

| length23 = 1:13

| title24 = The Sad Guys

| length24 = 1:35

| title25 = One Last Push Pop

| length25 = 1:40

| title26 = Finish Them

| length26 = 1:45

| title27 = Huff + Puff

| length27 = 2:07

| title28 = Just Robbing This Place

| length28 = 1:55

| title29 = Freeway Escape

| length29 = 2:27

| title30 = Who Said It Was the End?

| length30 = 2:03

| title31 = Redemption

| length31 = 2:01

| title32 = The Old Switcheroo

| length32 = 1:45

| title33 = Feelin' Alright

| writer33 = Dave Mason

| extra33 = Elle King

| length33 = 4:04

| title34 = Brand New Day

| writer34 = Pemberton, Daniel Taylor and Kelvin Swaby

| extra34 = The Heavy

| length34 = 3:45

}}

The film's marketing campaign began on December 14, 2021, with the release of the first trailer, one first-look photo, and a cast table read. The first trailer was also shown during theater screenings of Sing 2. A second trailer, released on February 23, 2022. A television spot aired during the Super Bowl pre-game garnered 8.5 million views when it was released on YouTube. Overall, fourteen promotional YouTube videos attracted 110.1 million views. The Bad Guys also had a tie-in with the 2022 March Madness tournament, featuring a virtual bracket for the film's characters and commercials during pre and post-game coverage on TNT and TBS. A Snapchat AR lens of Mr. Wolf and a TikTok trend set to Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy" were used to promote the film. Deadline Hollywood said Universal took advantage of April Fool's Day (April 1), the day tickets went on sale, with the release of another Snapchat AR lens that went viral after it was used by popular influencers such as MrBeast and Michael Le, gaining 21.5 million views and over 1.8 million likes on TikTok.

On October 7, 2019, it was reported that the film would be theatrically released 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.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-28|title='The Boss Baby' Sequel Bumped to September 2021, 'The Bad Guys' Moves to 2022|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-boss-baby-sequel-bumped-to-september-2021-the-bad-guys-moves-to-2022/|access-date=2020-12-28|website=TheWrap|first=Brian|last=Welk|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228213330/https://www.thewrap.com/the-boss-baby-sequel-bumped-to-september-2021-the-bad-guys-moves-to-2022/|url-status=live}} In March 2021, the release date was rescheduled to April 15, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/universal-sets-release-dates-for-dreamworks-animation-puss-in-boots-sequel-the-bad-guys-1234716632/|title=DreamWorks Animation's 'Puss In Boots' Sequel & 'The Bad Guys' Get Release Dates At Universal|date=March 17, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 17, 2021|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320171554/https://deadline.com/2021/03/universal-sets-release-dates-for-dreamworks-animation-puss-in-boots-sequel-the-bad-guys-1234716632/|url-status=live}} In October 2021, it was pushed back again by one week to April 22.{{Cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|date=October 12, 2021|title=Universal Pushes Dates For DreamWorks Toon 'The Bad Guys' & George Clooney-Julia Roberts Pic 'Ticket To Paradise'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/universal-pushes-release-dates-for-the-bad-guys-ticket-to-paradise-dreamworks-george-clooney-julia-roberts-1234854915/|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019223001/https://deadline.com/2021/10/universal-pushes-release-dates-for-the-bad-guys-ticket-to-paradise-dreamworks-george-clooney-julia-roberts-1234854915/|url-status=live}} The Bad Guys had a red carpet screening at the Ace Hotel Los Angeles on April 12, 2022, with Beetz in attendance.{{Cite web|url = https://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2022/04/14/zazie-beetz-wore-valentino-to-the-bad-guys-la-screening/|title = Zazie Beetz Wore Valentino to 'The Bad Guys' LA Screening|date = April 14, 2022|access-date = April 17, 2022|archive-date = April 14, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165732/https://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2022/04/14/zazie-beetz-wore-valentino-to-the-bad-guys-la-screening/|url-status = live}} On March 1, 2022, Universal pulled the release in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=2022-03-01 |title=Universal Pulls Russia Releases, Including Animated 'Bad Guys' and Michael Bay's 'Ambulance' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ambulance-bad-guys-russia-movie-releases-1235101621/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309000216/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ambulance-bad-guys-russia-movie-releases-1235101621/ |url-status=live }}

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment released The Bad Guys on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray and for digital download in the United States on June 21, 2022.{{Citation |title=The Bad Guys {{!}} Available 6/21 on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD |url=https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/the-bad-guys |language=en |access-date=2022-06-21 |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235349/https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/the-bad-guys |url-status=live }} The film was released on NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service on July 1, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |date=2022-06-24 |title=The Bad Guys Streaming Premiere Date Released |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-bad-guys-movie-streaming-peacock-july-2022-where-to-watch-online/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629202650/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-bad-guys-movie-streaming-peacock-july-2022-where-to-watch-online/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=One of 2022's Biggest Animated Movies Is Finally Streaming |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/2022-biggest-animated-movies-the-bad-guys-streaming/ |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=ComicBook.com |date=July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704175319/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/2022-biggest-animated-movies-the-bad-guys-streaming/ |url-status=live }} As part of their 18-month deal with Netflix, the film streamed on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Netflix on November 1, 2022, for the next ten, returning to Peacock on September 1, 2023, for the next four, and finally moving to Amazon Prime Video on January 1, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/netflix-exclusive-rights-universal-animated-films-105446842.html|title=Netflix extends exclusive rights to Universal's animated films in the US|last=Moon|first=Mariella|website=Engadget|date=2021-07-14|access-date=2021-07-14|language=en|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710055401/https://www.engadget.com/netflix-exclusive-rights-universal-animated-films-105446842.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |date=2022-10-04 |title=DreamWorks 'The Bad Guys' Coming to Netflix in November 2022 |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/the-bad-guys-coming-to-netflix-in-late-2022/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=What's on Netflix |language=en |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721054231/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/the-bad-guys-coming-to-netflix-in-late-2022/ |url-status=live }}

A 3D Blu-ray release of the film was released in Australia on May 10, 2023.{{Cite web |title=The Bad Guys [3D Blu-ray / Blu-ray] |url=https://randomspacemedia.com/products/the-bad-guys-3d-blu-ray-blu-ray |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Random Space |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430040347/https://randomspacemedia.com/products/the-bad-guys-3d-blu-ray-blu-ray |url-status=live }} A European 3D BluRay version was released on May 23, 2024. {{Cite web |title=The Bad Guys [German 3D Blu-ray] |url=https://turbine-shop.de/Die-Gangster-Gang-3D-Turbine-Collector-Series-03-Blu-ray-3D/6961245 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Turbine |language=de }}

The Bad Guys grossed $97.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $153.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $250.4 million.

In the United States and Canada, The Bad Guys was released alongside The Northman and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and was projected to gross $13–20 million from 4,008 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-bad-guys-northman-unbearable-weight-opening-weekend-1235237068/ |title=Box Office: The Bad Guys, Viking Epic The Northman and Nicolas Cage's Massive Talent to Battle Fantastic Beasts 3 |date=April 20, 2022 |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |website=Variety |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420215017/https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-bad-guys-northman-unbearable-weight-opening-weekend-1235237068/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/box-office-northman-bad-guys-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent-nicolas-cage-1235006554/|title=Bad Guys, The Northman & Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent Look To Provide Breadth At Weekend Box Office|date=April 20, 2022|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 21, 2022|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422000930/https://deadline.com/2022/04/box-office-northman-bad-guys-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent-nicolas-cage-1235006554/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-box-office-forecast-the-bad-guys-the-northman-and-the-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent/|title=Weekend Box Office Forecast: The Bad Guys, The Northman, and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Take on Sonic 2 and Dumbledore (Updated)|date=April 20, 2022|first=Shawn|last=Robbins|website=Boxoffice Pro|access-date=April 22, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420221552/https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-box-office-forecast-the-bad-guys-the-northman-and-the-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent/|url-status=live}} The film made $8 million on its first day, including $1.15 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $24 million, topping the box office.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W16/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 16|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 26, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426134921/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W16/|url-status=live}} Deadline Hollywood noted that the over-performance was thanks to a diverse turnout, big marketing push, and recent success of family films. Women made up 56% of the audience during its opening. The ethnic breakdown of the audience showed that 40% Caucasian, 25% Latino and Hispanic, 20% African American, and 9% Asian or other.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/box-office-northman-bad-guys-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent-1235007973/|title=Bad Guys Proves Family Pics Still Work With $24M Debut; Making Sense Of Northman & Unbearable Weight Counterprogramming In Streaming Era – Sunday Update|date=April 24, 2022|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 24, 2022|archive-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425024652/https://deadline.com/2022/04/box-office-northman-bad-guys-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent-1235007973/|url-status=live}} The film grossed $16.2 million in its second weekend, finishing first again.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W17/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 17|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503025949/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W17/|url-status=live}} It made $9.6 million in its third weekend and $7 million in its fourth, both times finishing second behind newcomer Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W18/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 18|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=May 10, 2022|archive-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510014134/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W18/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W19/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 19|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518000205/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W19/|url-status=live}} It stayed in the box office top ten until its eleventh weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2467005953/weekend/|title=The Bad Guys: Domestic Weekend|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 28, 2022|archive-date=June 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628032727/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2467005953/weekend/|url-status=live}}

Outside the U.S. and Canada, the film earned $8.5 million from 25 international markets in its opening weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/03/20/box-office-sing-2-scores-in-japan-as-uncharted-passes-200-million-overseas/|title=Box Office: Sing 2 Scores In Japan As Uncharted Passes $200 Million Overseas|date=March 20, 2022|first=Scott|last=Mendelson|website=Forbes|url-access=limited|access-date=March 21, 2022|archive-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321092810/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/03/20/box-office-sing-2-scores-in-japan-as-uncharted-passes-200-million-overseas/|url-status=live}} This included a strong $1.7 million opening in Spain, where it finished ahead of The Batman and tied with Encanto as the best debut in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-batman-bad-guys-ambulance-china-global-international-box-office-1234982700/|title=The Batman Swoops In On $600M WW, Unflappable Despite Tough Break In China – International Box Office|date=March 20, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 21, 2022|archive-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321151936/https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-batman-bad-guys-ambulance-china-global-international-box-office-1234982700/|url-status=live}} In its second weekend, it made $6.5 million from 37 markets.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/rrr-the-batman-lost-city-moonfall-india-china-global-international-box-office-1234987698/|title=RRR Roars With $60M+ WW Debut; The Batman Rises To $673M Global; Lost City Finds Strong Early Start – International Box Office Update|date=March 29, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 29, 2022|archive-date=March 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329172046/https://deadline.com/2022/03/rrr-the-batman-lost-city-moonfall-india-china-global-international-box-office-1234987698/|url-status=live}} Its third weekend added $10.5 million, which included a $3.1 million debut in the UK and $1.7 million from Australia, where the film had the best opening for an animated film since the start of the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/morbius-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-batman-rrr-global-international-box-office-1234993236/|title=Morbius Sinks Fangs Into $84M Global Bow; Sonic Booms Overseas; The Batman Wings Past $700M WW – International Box Office|date=April 3, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-date=April 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403174052/https://deadline.com/2022/04/morbius-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-batman-rrr-global-international-box-office-1234993236/|url-status=live}} It made $7.5 million in its fourth weekend, which included a debut in France of $1.5 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-rrr-morbius-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-batman-global-international-box-office-1234998767/|title=Sonic 2 Speeds To $141M Global; Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Uncovers $57M In Early Offshore Bow; RRR Roars To WW Milestone – International Box Office|date=April 12, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 12, 2022|archive-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411194757/https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-rrr-morbius-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-batman-global-international-box-office-1234998767/|url-status=live}} The film crossed the $50 million mark outside the U.S. and Canada in its fifth weekend, ahead of its North American release, after adding $6.5 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-sonic-kgf-yash-india-china-global-international-box-office-1235004648/|title=Fantastic Beasts Reaches $150M Overseas; India's KGF Rocks $70M+ Global Start; Sonic Speeds To $232M WW – International Box Office|date=April 17, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 18, 2022|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417230149/https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-sonic-kgf-yash-india-china-global-international-box-office-1235004648/|url-status=live}} In its sixth weekend, the film made $5.9 million, which Deadline Hollywood noted as a "terrific 9% drop" before its release in China on April 29.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-lost-city-kgf-china-global-international-box-office-1235008855/|title=Fantastic Beasts 3 & Sonic 2 Near $300M Global, The Lost City Tops $100M – International Box Office|date=April 24, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 24, 2022|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424173853/https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-lost-city-kgf-china-global-international-box-office-1235008855/|url-status=live}} The film added $9 million in its seventh weekend. This included an opening of $4.53 million in China, where it received a "strong" 9.1/10 rating from audiences on the Maoyan website.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/downton-abbey-fantastic-beasts-sonic-bad-guys-china-global-international-box-office-1235013921/|title=Fantastic Beasts & Sonic Top $300M Global; Downton Abbey: A New Era Sets Table Overseas On Calm Before The Strange Weekend – International Box Office|date=May 1, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504130117/https://deadline.com/2022/05/downton-abbey-fantastic-beasts-sonic-bad-guys-china-global-international-box-office-1235013921/|url-status=live}} The film earned $7.2 million the following weekend, which included a debut of $1.93 million in Korea. The Bad Guys also surpassed the gross of Encanto in China.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-opening-international-box-office-1235016822/|title=Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Opens $450M Global Portal, $265M From Overseas – International Box Office|date=May 8, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 9, 2022|archive-date=May 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509035351/https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-opening-international-box-office-1235016822/|url-status=live}} It made $6.7 million in its ninth weekend,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-gobal-international-box-office-1235024115/|title=Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Rings Up $688M Global After Two Weekends; How High Can Cloak & Swagger Go? – International Box Office|date=May 15, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 16, 2022|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517075826/https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-gobal-international-box-office-1235024115/|url-status=live}} crossed the $100 million overseas mark in its tenth weekend,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-bad-guys-uncharted-roundup-global-international-box-office-1235030029/|title=Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Enters $800M+ Dimension WW; Uncharted Tops $400M & Bad Guys Crosses $100M Overseas – International Box Office|date=May 22, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602070126/https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-bad-guys-uncharted-roundup-global-international-box-office-1235030029/|url-status=live}} and added another $5.8 million in its eleventh weekend.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-opening-records-global-international-box-office-1235034560/|title=Top Gun: Maverick Is Supersonic With $124M Overseas Opening In Career-Best For Tom Cruise; WW At $248M Through Sunday – International Box Office|date=May 29, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530085043/https://deadline.com/2022/05/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-opening-records-global-international-box-office-1235034560/|url-status=live}} It made $8.9 million the following weekend, surpassing the earnings of Moana and Toy Story 4 in China.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-500-million-second-weekend-jurassic-world-dominion-doctor-strange-global-international-boxofficeinternational-box-office-1235038582/|title=Top Gun: Maverick Soars To $557M Global Through Sunday; Jurassic World Dominion Grabs $56M In Early Bow & Doctor Strange 2 Crosses $900M WW – International Box Office Update|date=June 6, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605162033/https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-500-million-second-weekend-jurassic-world-dominion-doctor-strange-global-international-boxofficeinternational-box-office-1235038582/|url-status=live}} In its thirteenth weekend, it made $3.5 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-jurassic-world-dominion-china-global-international-box-office-1235043511/|title=Jurassic World Dominion Roars To $392M WW As Top Gun: Maverick Soars To $747M – International Box Office|date=June 14, 2022|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 19, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625212819/https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-jurassic-world-dominion-china-global-international-box-office-1235043511/|url-status=live}}

{{RT prose|score=88 |count=172 |average=6.9 |consensus=Fast-paced, funny, and full of colorful visual appeal, The Bad Guys is good news for audiences seeking options the whole family can enjoy.|ref=yes |access-date=October 11, 2023}} {{Metacritic film prose |score=64 |count=26 |ref=yes |access-date=May 21, 2022}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it an average score of 4 out of 5 stars.

The Washington Post{{'}}s Kristen Page-Kirby gave 3 stars out of 4, and concluded: "The moral of the story doesn't pack a huge wallop. Not that it needs to. (We can't all be Encanto.) Still, it's clever, visually interesting and very, very funny. Even when the humor goes lowbrow, it makes narrative sense. A joke about flatulence is a lot funnier when it's essential to the plot. The Bad Guys gets that. In fact, The Bad Guys gets a lot of things. It knows precisely what it is — and what it sets out to do, it does well. It's a heist film with heart and humor, and where's the crime in that?"{{cite news |last=Page-Kirby |first=Kristen |title='The Bad Guys' is a good movie: A heist flick with humor and heart |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/movies/2022/04/19/the-bad-guys-movie-review/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 21, 2022 |date=April 19, 2022 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518144758/https://www.washingtonpost.com/movies/2022/04/19/the-bad-guys-movie-review/ |url-status=live }} IGN{{'}}s Ryan Leston gave a rating of 8 out of 10 and wrote: The Bad Guys is a slick, hilarious heist movie with buckets of laughs and a lot of heart. It's Ocean's Eleven meets Little Red Riding Hood with Sam Rockwell's Wolf going on a charm offensive to stay out of jail... and he might just win you over in the process. Richard Ayoade has a blast as the sanctimonious Professor Marmalade and the entire voice cast brings their A-game with some stellar gags that will get you roaring with laughter. The Bad Guys is a fun, family-friendly caper that's bursting with action and brimming with laughs."{{cite web |last1=Leston |first1=Ryan |title=The Bad Guys Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-bad-guys-review/ |website=IGN |access-date=May 21, 2022 |date=April 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521155511/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-bad-guys-review/ |url-status=live }} Chicago Sun-Times's Richard Roeper gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4, and commented that "The animation combines computer-generated 2D and 3D with a look that will remind you of a Saturday-morning cartoon—only much crisper and more dazzling. There's nothing photorealistic about the animation; it's stylized and has very specific definition of Heist Movie Los Angeles, with the sky so bright it's almost overexposed, and yet somehow creating a bit of a noir vibe. This is a great-looking film with terrific performances, some lovely messaging and a steady parade of solid laughs—some the kids will enjoy and just as many targeted squarely at the grown-up kids in the audience."{{cite web |last1=Roeper |first1=Richard |title='The Bad Guys' gives some good lines to its animated animals |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2022/4/20/23032843/bad-guys-review-movie/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=May 21, 2022 |date=April 20, 2022 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521155533/https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2022/4/20/23032843/bad-guys-review-movie/ |url-status=live }}

The Guardian{{'}}s Wendy Ide gave 3 stars out of 5 and said: "Like Roger Rabbit, the pacing owes a debt to the demented frenzy of classic Looney Tunes animations, but the film also nods to heist movies, notably the Oceans series. It's deliberately preposterous – the disguises are rarely more convincing than the kind of false nose and moustache combo you might find in a cracker. But there's a kernel of believability where it matters: in the easy repartee and fully fleshed friendships. It's sharp, silly and frequently very funny."{{cite web |last1=Ide |first1=Wendy |title=The Bad Guys review – Looney Tunes meets the Oceans in animated crime caper |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/apr/03/the-bad-guys-review-looney-tunes-meets-the-oceans-series-in-animated-caper/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=May 21, 2022 |date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523091505/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/apr/03/the-bad-guys-review-looney-tunes-meets-the-oceans-series-in-animated-caper |url-status=live }}

The film was awarded the title of Truly Moving Picture Award at the 2022 Heartland Film Festival and was nominated for Best Animated Film at the Hollywood Critics Association and Satellite Awards.{{Cite web|last=@heartlandfilm|date=25 March 2022|title=@badguysmovie by @dreamworks stole our hearts and won the Truly Moving Picture Award! A clever heist movie with a charming voice cast and fun visual style, this film's thought-provoking themes allow us to reflect on societal tendencies to misjudge others. In theaters on April 22!|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiIcP1DxQp/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Instagram|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=December 15, 2022 |title=A24's Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads HCA Film Awards Total Nominations With 16 |url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/hca-film-awards-nominations-2023-1235462321/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215181256/https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/hca-film-awards-nominations-2023-1235462321/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2023 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Erik |date=March 6, 2023 |title=27th Satellite Awards winners: 'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Babylon,' 'Barry,' 'Better Call Saul' |url=https://awardswatch.com/27th-satellite-awards-winners-top-gun-maverick-babylon-barry-better-call-saul/ |url-status=live |website=AwardsWatch |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309014335/https://awardswatch.com/27th-satellite-awards-winners-top-gun-maverick-babylon-barry-better-call-saul/ }} Beetz received a nomination for Outstanding Voice Performance at the 2023 Black Reel Awards.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Erik |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Woman King lead 2023 Black Reel Awards nominations |url=https://awardswatch.com/black-panther-wakanda-forever-the-woman-king-lead-2023-black-reel-awards-nominations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215233607/https://awardswatch.com/black-panther-wakanda-forever-the-woman-king-lead-2023-black-reel-awards-nominations/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=AwardsWatch}} The film also was nominated for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature at the 21st Visual Effects Society Awards, a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie as well as Awkwafina receiving a nomination for Favorite Female Voice From an Animated Movie at the 2023 Kids' Choice Awards, and for five Annie Awards (winning one).{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Avatar 2 Sweeps Visual Effects Society Awards Feature Competition |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/visual-effects-society-2023-awards-winners-list-avatar-2-1235323533/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216072151/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/visual-effects-society-2023-awards-winners-list-avatar-2-1235323533/ |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=March 4, 2023 |title=Wednesday, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles Among Winners at 2023 Kids' Choice Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305024337/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |title='Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio' Wins Five Trophies Including the Top Prize at the 50th Annie Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/annie-awards-animation-2023-winners-1235334278/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 26, 2023 |date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226092842/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/annie-awards-animation-2023-winners-1235334278/ |url-status=live }}

The film was nominated for Best Edited Animated Feature Film{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=March 5, 2023 |title=Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Win ACE Eddie Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/eddies-american-cinema-editors-2023-awards-winners-list-1235340078/ |url-status=live |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306070208/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/eddies-american-cinema-editors-2023-awards-winners-list-1235340078/ }} and for Outstanding Achievement in Casting at the 38th Artios Awards.{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Tyler |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Casting Society Artios Awards: 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' 'The Fabelmans' and 'Tár' Among Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/artios-awards-film-nominees-1235293812/ |url-status=live |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127112557/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/artios-awards-film-nominees-1235293812/ }}

{{Main|The Bad Guys (franchise)|l1=The Bad Guys (franchise)}}

{{main|The Bad Guys 2|l1=The Bad Guys 2}}

In March 2022, a month before the film was released, Perifel said that he would love to do a sequel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedigitalfix.com/the-bad-guys/director-would-love-to-do-sequel|title=The Bad Guys director would love to do a sequel|work=The Digital Flix|last=Percival|first=Tom|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=May 20, 2022|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504043349/https://www.thedigitalfix.com/the-bad-guys/director-would-love-to-do-sequel|url-status=live}} Two years later, DreamWorks Animation officially confirmed a sequel with a release date set for August 1, 2025. Perifel will return to direct and JP Sans, who served as head of character animation on the previous film, will co-direct, with the cast reprising their roles.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=DreamWorks Animation Sets 'The Bad Guys 2' For Late Summer 2025 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/the-bad-guys-2-release-date-1235868833/ |website=Deadline |access-date=26 March 2024 |date=26 March 2024}} On July 13, 2024, it was announced that Natasha Lyonne has reportedly been cast in the sequel. A trailer was released on November 21, 2024, with the cast returning, along with some new actors.

{{main|The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday|The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist|l1 = The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday|l2 = The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist}}

A holiday special inspired by the characters from the film was produced by DreamWorks Animation Television. It was directed by Bret Haaland from Fast & Furious Spy Racers, and executive produced by Haaland and Katherine Nolfi from Abominable and the Invisible City and Spirit Riding Free. The holiday special, titled The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday, debuted on November 30, 2023, on Netflix. None of the film cast reprised their roles.{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/news/the-bad-guys-prequel-holiday-movie-release-date-photos-1235057540/|title=The Bad Guys Prequel Movie Gets New Voice Cast, Netflix Release Date and First Photos|last=Mitovich|first=Matt|work=TVLine|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=October 9, 2023}} The special takes place before the events of the film and features the titular Bad Guys reluctantly restoring holiday cheer to Los Angeles after Christmas was unexpectedly canceled.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/the-bad-guys-plan-holiday-heist-for-netflix-in-2023/|title='The Bad Guys' Plan Holiday Heist for Netflix in 2023|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|work=Animation Magazine|date=November 9, 2022|access-date=November 9, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108225752/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/the-bad-guys-plan-holiday-heist-for-netflix-in-2023/|url-status=live}} A Halloween special The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist was released on October 3, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/08/netflix-toons-up-back-to-school-season-with-bad-guys-special-new-project-pics-and-premiere-dates/|title=Netflix Toons Up Back-to-School Season with 'Bad Guys' Special, New Project Pics and Premiere Dates|work=Animation Magazine|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|date=August 13, 2024|access-date=August 13, 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

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• {{Official website|https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/the-bad-guys}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
• [https://thebadguysfyc.dreamworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/TBG_Script-clean.pdf Official screenplay]

{{The Bad Guys (franchise)}}

{{Pierre Perifel}}

{{Universal theatrical animated features}}

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