If you loved
The Bad Guys
Pierre Perifel · Film · 2022
You loved The Bad Guys because it explores the charming potential for redemption when notorious outcasts embrace their found family.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Bad Guys 2
Pierre Perifel · Film · 2025
Books on the same thread
Dog Man
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
Explores: Redemption, Found Family, Optimism.
Much like the protagonists of The Bad Guys, Petey the Cat undergoes a meaningful journey of rehabilitation that proves even the most notorious villains can find a new purpose.
Dog Man
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2016
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Crime-fighting, Animal Heroes.
If the animal-led heroics of The Bad Guys kept you entertained, you will appreciate this story about an unconventional hero learning to navigate his role in a complicated world.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Roald Dahl · Book · 1998
Explores: Underdog, Resourcefulness, Family Loyalty.
Fans of The Bad Guys will recognize the same spirit of resourcefulness and defiance against the odds in this classic tale of an animal outsmarting those who seek his destruction.
Dog Man: Fetch-22: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #8)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
Shares a thread with The Bad Guys: Teamwork.
This book mirrors the redemption arc found in The Bad Guys by focusing on how characters reevaluate their lives after leaving a criminal past behind for a fresh start.
Series on the same thread
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Dave Filoni · Series · 2021
Explores: Clone troopers, Moral ambiguity, Post-war society.
The Bad Guys captures the camaraderie of a specialized crew, and you will find that same dynamic in this story about elite outsiders navigating a shifting, morally complex landscape.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Explores: Found Family, Secret Identity, Fish Out of Water.
You will enjoy this series for the same reason you liked The Bad Guys: the thrill of watching a mismatched group form a makeshift family while concealing their true identities.
BEASTARS
Series · 2019
Explores: Prejudice, Societal Hierarchy, Forbidden Love.
If you were drawn to the complex societal prejudices explored in The Bad Guys, this narrative offers a deeper, more dramatic look at how different animals navigate their perceived nature.
Tulsa King
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2022
Explores: Second Chances, Building a New Empire, Mob Life.
Just as the crew in The Bad Guys pivots from a life of crime, this story follows a mobster attempting to build a new life and a new crew after prison.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
This podcast explores the same moral ambiguity that defined The Bad Guys, highlighting the human stories that exist when people exist somewhere between being villains and being innocent.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The collaborative energy and comedic group dynamics that made the heist crew in The Bad Guys so memorable are fully present in this hilarious, improvised fantasy adventure series.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Bad Guys based on a book?
Yes, The Bad Guys movie is based on the book series of the same name. You can explore the original source material if you enjoyed the 2022 film adaptation directed by Pierre Perifel.
Will there be a sequel to The Bad Guys?
Yes, a sequel titled The Bad Guys 2 is scheduled for release in 2025. This film will continue the story of the criminal animal crew following the events of the first movie.
What is the premise of The Bad Guys?
The Bad Guys follows a crew of criminal animals who are finally caught after years of heists. Mr. Wolf brokers a deal to save the group from prison, forcing the world’s most-wanted villains to attempt a transition toward a different path.
Should I read The Bad Guys book series before watching the movies?
You do not need to read the books to understand the 2022 film or the upcoming 2025 sequel, The Bad Guys 2. However, reading the books provides additional context for the characters and the heist-filled world established in the original source material.