Grok Entertainment Desk | December 13, 2025
In a move that's sending shockwaves through the animation world, DreamWorks Animation has officially confirmed the long-anticipated third installment in its blockbuster The Bad Guys franchise. Titled The Bad Guys 3, the film is locked in for a theatrical debut on May 18, 2028, positioning it squarely in the heart of summer blockbuster season. This announcement comes hot on the heels of The Bad Guys 2's meteoric success, which raked in over $450 million worldwide against a modest $80 million budget—making it DreamWorks' top-grossing original property since Shrek and cementing the series as the studio's most reliable cash cow.
The news, first broken here at Grok Entertainment, underscores DreamWorks' aggressive pivot under the stewardship of parent company Disney's CEO Bob Iger. With Iger laser-focused on injecting fresh life into the animation arm through a slate of franchise-launchers and sequels, The Bad Guys stands out as the crown jewel. "This isn't just a sequel; it's a statement," an insider close to the production tells us exclusively. "The first film redefined heist comedies for families, the second doubled down on heart and humor—now, three is about legacy. Expect the Bad Guys to go bigger, badder, and bolder than ever."
Plot Tease: Reformed Crooks Face Their Toughest Score Yet?
While full details remain under wraps, early whispers suggest The Bad Guys 3 will pick up with Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) and his ragtag crew—Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), and Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos)—fully entrenched in their crime-fighting gigs alongside Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz). But old habits die hard: A post-credits stinger in The Bad Guys 2 hinted at a multiversal twist inspired by Aaron Blabey's wilder book entries, thrusting the gang into a cosmic caper involving interdimensional villains and high-tech heists that could "make Ocean's Eleven look like child's play."
No official word on the return of director Pierre Perifel and co-director JP Sans, who helmed the first two entries to critical acclaim (91% on Rotten Tomatoes for the original). However, sources indicate the duo is in "advanced talks" to reprise their roles, with Perifel eyeing ways to evolve the franchise's signature blend of snappy banter, fluid animation, and redemption arcs. "The expectations are sky-high," our source adds. "Sans's character work was magic—losing him would be a blow, but DreamWorks knows this IP is too big to fumble."
The core voice cast is expected to reunite, breathing life back into the anthropomorphic anti-heroes who've captured hearts (and box office receipts) from kids to adults. Early concept art circulating internally teases bolder visuals, with the gang's signature suits getting a futuristic upgrade amid neon-lit multiverse jaunts.
Box Office Heat: Facing Off Against Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken 2?
The Bad Guys 3 won't have the track to itself. It slots into a crowded 2028 landscape, notably up against DreamWorks' own Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken 2—the long-awaited follow-up to 2023's cult-favorite underperformer. Slated for March 10, 2027 (with potential spillover buzz into 2028 marketing wars), the sequel reunites Lana Condor as the titular teen Kraken alongside Toni Collette and Jane Fonda, diving deeper into underwater lore and mermaid rivalries. Despite the original's $46 million haul falling short of expectations, streaming resurgence on Netflix has fueled sequel greenlight chatter, positioning it as a potential sleeper hit.
Analysts predict fireworks: The Bad Guys 3's proven IP could dominate family audiences, but Ruby Gillman 2's YA appeal and visual spectacle (think Turning Red meets The Little Mermaid) might siphon older teens. "It's DreamWorks vs. DreamWorks in the best way," laughs one exhibitor. "Iger's playbook: Pit your stars against each other to boost the whole slate."
Why Now? Iger's DreamWorks Renaissance
This confirmation arrives amid DreamWorks' most ambitious lineup yet, including Dog Man (2025), Zootopia 2 (November 2025), and tentpole sequels like Kung Fu Panda 5 and How to Train Your Dragon live-action adaptations. The Bad Guys franchise has been the steady engine, evolving from 2022's surprise $250 million smash into a tentpole property. With spin-offs like Netflix's The Bad Guys: Breaking In prequel series (premiering November 6, 2025) keeping the IP red-hot, the third film feels less like a risk and more like inevitability.
Director search is underway, but expect A-list talent—rumors swirl around Spider-Verse vets or even Perifel's handpicked successor. Budget talks hover around $100-120 million, with Universal Pictures handling distribution and Peacock/Netflix eyeing premium streaming windows.
As the Bad Guys gear up to con the multiverse, one thing's clear: In Iger's revamped DreamWorks, being bad has never been this good for business. Stay tuned for casting updates, first-look images, and our deep dive into how Blabey's books are influencing the script. What heist do you want to see next? Sound off below.
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