Netflix has released a prequel series to DreamWorks Animation's hit movie franchise, The Bad Guys. The series, titled The Bad Guys: Breaking In, offers an origin story for the beloved team of thieves-turned-heroes. Set before the first Bad Guys movie, the show provides a fun and accessible entry point for kids, without the need to watch any prior content. Each of the nine episodes runs for about 25 minutes, making it an engaging watch for younger audiences. While the all-star cast from the films, including Sam Rockwell and Marc Maron, did not reprise their roles, the series introduces new voice actors to bring the characters to life. This isn't the first time The Bad Guys has ventured into television; Netflix has released multiple holiday specials over the last few years, with The Bad Guys: Breaking In marking a significant shift towards a full TV series. With two feature films under its belt, The Bad Guys has proven to be a decent performer for DreamWorks, generating over $250 million and $237 million, respectively, from its releases in 2022 and 2024. The relatively affordable production costs have contributed to the franchise's success, ensuring profitability for the studio. DreamWorks Animation's strategy of quickly expanding its biggest hits into multimedia franchises, as seen with How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda, is evident in The Bad Guys' transition from film to television.
