From its opening heist sequence to the closing credits, The Bad Guys: Breaking In offers an effortlessly fun, stylish prequel that expands the world of the original film while standing confidently on its own. Set before the events of the 2022 feature, the series follows the titular crew-Mr. Wolf, Mr. Shark, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake and Ms. Tarantula-as they learn the ropes of criminal mischief and teamwork.
What works particularly well is the balance between slick heist tropes and heartfelt character moments. The animation is vibrant and expressive, retaining the playful aesthetic of the film but giving each character room to evolve. You see Wolf's ambition, Piranha's frustration, Shark's awkward optimism-all this in crisp, polished CGI-cartoon form. The writing smartly weaves jokes and chase sequences with genuine stakes: the crew isn't yet fully competent, which makes their failures as entertaining as their successes.
The show delivers a broad appeal-it's accessible for younger viewers, but layered enough to entertain older audiences. One memorable episode features the gang trying to rob a candy-factory while learning that even "bad guys" need a chore chart and responsibility.
On the flip side, some plot beats feel formulaic and the episodic structure occasionally limits long-term story arcs. If you're expecting a deep, dark crime drama, you won't find it here. But if you're in it for clever hijinks, witty dialogue and a team-of-misfits-learning-to-work-together story, it delivers.
In short: The Bad Guys: Breaking In is a delightful addition to the franchise. It expands its universe with charm and energy, giving fans of the film new context and newcomers a fun first step in. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it definitely makes the wheel spin with style. Highly recommended.
