Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 6+
Book-based animated heist is so fun, it's criminal.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
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Violence & Scariness
some
Cartoon violence with no permanent outcome includes characters being hit by a car, eating other animals, tussling, performing martial arts in self-defense, explosions, and a car crash. Some peril is played with a comical tone; one moment of worry is quickly alleviated.
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Language
a little
Vulgar language includes "butt," "fart," and "what the hell."
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
Two characters seem to have a low-level attraction that involves dancing and the very lightest of flirting.
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Products & Purchases
very little
See AlsoFree Guy Movie ReviewFree Guy | Rotten TomatoesParent reviews for Free GuyDeadpool & Wolverine Movie ReviewMain characters are thieves who steal jewelry and gold objects, even though they appear to have plenty.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Champagne and martini glasses are seen at parties; one character accepts what appears to be a martini. However, a character at a party later orders "a tonic water in a fancy glass," and it looks like the same drink.
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Positive Messages
a lot
Doing good makes you feel good, and you may receive positive attention for positive actions. Also makes point that stereotypes are harmful, and that if someone is labeled "bad," they may choose to lean into the label rather than fight it. Even those who have appearance of being "good" may need extra scrutiny before receiving our trust.
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Diverse Representations
a lot
While main characters are all animals, they're voiced by a diverse cast, and viewers are intended to take away the idea that we need to be conscious of the impact of implicit bias and the way that attributes like race, religion, and more can be depicted as villainous by and in the media. Female characters are in traditionally male-dominated careers, such as a police chief, governor, and tech hacker.
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Positive Role Models
some
Most of the primary characters are "bad guys" of some sort, but by the end they've made a conscious choice to change their ways. They work as a team.
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Educational Value
a little
Learning to share is a subplot.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Bad Guys is a fun animated comedy heist based on a popular graphic novel series. Delivering a memorable message about the harmful impact of stereotypes, it follows a wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell), shark (Craig Robinson), piranha (Anthony Ramos), snake (Marc Maron), and tarantula (Awkwafina) who've formed an infamous crime ring. There's cartoon violence -- characters being hit by a car, fighting in self-defense, explosions, etc. -- and momentary peril, but it's largely delivered with a light tone. Characters drink from glasses that look like they might have co*cktails in them, and friends exchange insults and use potty words ("butt," "fart," etc.). Over the course of the story, the characters learn that being good means putting others' needs before your own and that positive recognition may follow good deeds; a subplot about sharing is as clear and shiny as a diamond. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
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The Bad Guys
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (38)
- Kids say (50)
age 6+
Based on 38 parent reviews
sjsubity Parent of 14-year-old
April 22, 2022
age 6+
A pleasant surprise
We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed this one. Yes, there are a fair amount of fart and butt jokes including a running gag where the characters repeatedly argue about whether a space rock is shaped like a heart or a butt. But it was fun to watch the main characters -- The Bad Guys -- slowly realize the value of being good and struggle as they try to change their ways. Plenty of humor, action, and a great soundtrack as well.
jim from maine Parent of 5, 9 and 13-year-old
April 23, 2022
age 5+
Really good family movie, even Dad laughed
They don't make many good kids movies, so we MUST support the ones that do get made. This one is solid......not much Politically Correct crap or indoctrination. And it's quite "clean". (We are very picky about that kind of stuff). It is a fast-moving plot, with lots of good humor. The message is about "bad" people who are destined to be bad finding their way to being good. But it's not too preachy. Kids under five will struggle with the plot and keeping up, also a lot of the jokes will go over their head. Our five year old enjoyed it but not sure how much of it he understood. Its "sweet spot" is ages six to twelve, but our thirteen year old liked it. Visually good and a solid offering.
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See all 38 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Notorious crime squad THE BAD GUYS have avoided capture for years, becoming the world's most wanted villains in the process. When they're finally caught, Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) brokers a deal: the Bad Guys will go good in exchange for their freedom. But the crew will have to convince everyone (and themselves) that they really are "good guys," just as a new villain comes to town.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (38):
Kids say (50):
This animated adaptation of Aaron Blabey's beloved Scholastic books revels in bringing a charming, modern take to a very specific idiom: "A wolf in sheep's clothing." Taking an empathetic approach to a crew of thieves who only pretend to "go good," this lighthearted and amusing heist comedy shows that when someone is labeled as "bad," they're likely at some point to start believing it. It's perfect fodder to help explain implicit bias, as well as why labels and stereotypes are problematic. And writer-producer Etan Cohen goes beyond the source material to show that even those who have the appearance of being "good" may need extra scrutiny before receiving our trust -- an equally valuable lesson.
The script has a few issues that may nag at parents, but overall, The Bad Guys is an enjoyable romp that's like Ocean's Eleven for children, and kids won't be hung up on the tiny details. That said, while the ending is responsible and shows that crime doesn't pay, it sure makes crime look cool along the way. This band of thieves doesn't steal out of need but because they're good at it, and it all looks legitimately fun (gentleman thief Mr. Wolf is super cool, so don't be surprised if your kiddo tries to lift something from your purse or pocket to be funny). Let's just hope the message about fighting bias is the movie's lasting influence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it's harmful to label people. What is a stereotype? Which ones do you think The Bad Guys is trying to show are problematic?
Describe what the terms "bad guy" and "good guy" mean to you. Why did you use those attributes? How do entertainment and media inform the way we think of others?
How do you feel when you help someone or put their needs before your own? Why do you think it feels good to do good?
How do the characters in the movie work as a team?
What is a wolf in sheep's clothing? How is that idea explored in The Bad Guys?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 22, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: June 21, 2022
- Cast: Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Zazie Beetz
- Director: Pierre Perifel
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Asian actors, Latino actors, Black actors
- Studios: DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship, Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: action and rude humor
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: May 8, 2024
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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
The Bad Guys
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