Picture: DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation’s big sequel of 2025 has just hit theaters and will arrive on Netflix in the United States as part of a first window deal, but not until early next year. Here’s when you can expect the sequel to The Bad Guys to drop on Netflix.
The new movie is directed by Pierre Perifel, returning after helming the original The Bad Guys in 2022. Perifel, known for his long-standing work with DreamWorks, continues the animated franchise with more sharp humor that made the first film a hit with families and critics alike.
What’s the story this time? Here’s the official synopsis: “After saving the day and clearing their names, the Bad Guys are back—but this time, they’re framed for a global heist they didn’t commit. With new allies, old enemies, and a race against time, the crew must pull off their biggest job yet to truly become the good guys.”
The movie features an impressive voice cast led by Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Danielle Brooks, and Craig Robinson (who will be heard later this year in Netflix’s In Your Dreams).
Of course, Netflix has a longstanding relationship with The Bad Guys, not only carrying the first movie within the first window (and since) but also distributing exclusively two specials beginning with The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday in 2023 and again a year later with the 24-minute special The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist.
When will The Bad Guys 2 stream on Netflix in the United States?
Netflix will add The Bad Guys 2 in the U.S. in 2026.
Like all Universal animated movies, The Bad Guys 2 follows the studio’s shared-window deal between Peacock and Netflix. The film will first stream exclusively on Peacock for around 4 months after its theatrical run, then head to Netflix for 10 months, and finally return to Peacock for another 4-month run.
Window Breakdown in the United States for DreamWorks/Illumination Movies
Given this pattern, Peacock should receive the movie on or around November 25th, and then Netflix will likely acquire The Bad Guys 2 in early 2026 (approximately March 25th), where it will remain available until January 2027, when it’ll return to Peacock.
Want to see all the DreamWorks and Illumination movies lined up for Netflix in 2025 and beyond? Titles like Despicable Me 4 and The Wild Robot have already dropped, with Dog Man expected next in September 2025, and we’re tracking them all in our ongoing guide.
Will The Bad Guys 2 be on Netflix internationally?
Yes, but it varies by region.
Australia and Belgium are among the few countries that also get Universal’s new animated films in the first streaming window, so The Bad Guys 2 should appear there around the same time as the U.S. For most other countries, you’ll need to wait for the second window (mid-to-late 2026) or, in some cases, even later, depending on local licensing deals.
Are you excited to watch The Bad Guys 2 when it lands on Netflix?
