Parents' Guide to

The Bad Guys

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Book-based animated heist is so fun, it's criminal.

Movie PG 2022 100 minutes
The Bad Guys Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • 1:03
  • The Bad Guys Movie: Scene #1
  • The Bad Guys Movie: Scene #2
  • The Bad Guys Movie: Scene #3

Community Reviews

See all
age 6+

Based on 38 parent reviews

sjsubity
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
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.
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

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

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.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate