What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Bad Guys
Pierre Perifel · Film · 2022
If you loved The Bad Guys, start with The Bad Guys (Aaron Blabey) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Bad Guys across media.
What hooked you in The Bad Guys was the way it turns criminal misfits into charming protagonists through clever teamwork and redemption.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Bad Guys 2
Pierre Perifel · Film · 2025
Books on the same thread
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Roald Dahl · Book · 1998
Explores: Underdog, Resourcefulness, Family Loyalty.
Like the clever crew in The Bad Guys, Mr. Fox uses his wits and resourcefulness to outsmart his foes while protecting his own unconventional family from certain doom.
SIX OF CROWS
Leigh Bardugo · Book
Explores: found family, criminal underworld, moral ambiguity.
You will appreciate how these criminal outcasts mirror the team in The Bad Guys, finding loyalty and purpose while navigating a world that refuses to see their potential.
The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo · Book · 2019
Explores: Courage, Love, Good vs Evil.
Despereaux shares the same spirit of defying expectations found in The Bad Guys, as a tiny mouse rejects his societal role to pursue a brave and noble path.
Dog Man
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2016
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Crime-fighting, Animal Heroes.
Dog Man captures the lighthearted, animal-centered humor of The Bad Guys, focusing on the chaotic journey of an unlikely hero who is still learning to navigate the law.
Series on the same thread
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Explores: Found Family, Secret Identity, Fish Out of Water.
Just as the crew in The Bad Guys maintains a secret identity to survive, this found family relies on deception and teamwork to hold their precarious lives together.
BEASTARS
Series · 2019
Explores: Prejudice, Societal Hierarchy, Forbidden Love.
This story explores the same themes of prejudice and identity seen in The Bad Guys, following a gentle wolf who must confront his own nature in a complex society.
The Boys
Eric Kripke · Series · 2019
Explores: Anti-Hero, Corporate Corruption, Abuse of Power.
The Boys offers the same grit and moral ambiguity found in The Bad Guys, focusing on a group of underdogs who fight against corrupt systems using unconventional methods.
Batman: Caped Crusader
Bruce Timm · Series · 2024
Explores: Vigilante justice, Systemic corruption, Trauma.
If you enjoyed the vigilante justice of The Bad Guys, this neo-noir take on Gotham City provides a darker look at how individuals navigate a system built on corruption.
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 defines The Bad Guys, delving into the lives of people caught between their criminal actions and their human complexities.
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
Pairing dark humor with criminal investigation, this show mirrors the comedic tone of The Bad Guys while focusing on the legal downfalls of those who break the rules.
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. Both versions follow the same crew of criminal animals who attempt to change their reputations after being caught for their various heists.
Will there be a sequel to The Bad Guys?
Yes, a sequel titled The Bad Guys 2 is scheduled for release in 2025. This upcoming film continues the story of the criminal crew following the events of the 2022 movie directed by Pierre Perifel.
What is the premise of The Bad Guys?
The Bad Guys follows a crew of criminal animals who are 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 to become good citizens.
Who directed The Bad Guys?
The Bad Guys, released in 2022, was directed by Pierre Perifel. The film depicts the story of a criminal animal crew attempting to avoid prison time by making a deal to change their ways.