🐇 Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)

“Peter Corden 2: The Even Less Funny Sequel” 🐇🎬


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🎥 Let’s start by showing y’all the trailers, shall we?

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📖 Non-Spoiler Plot Overview

Peter Rabbit returns — this time dealing with “being labeled the bad rabbit” after the first film made him, well, kind of a jerk. Instead of showing real character growth, the sequel leans into meta-jokes about Peter’s reputation while doubling down on slapstick and cartoonish antics.

The story tries to juggle three things at once:

Peter’s rivalry with McGregor evolving into a weird buddy arc,

Bea’s book deal where her sweet Beatrix Potter-style tales get turned into loud, marketable trash,

And Peter going “bad bunny” with a streetwise crew of animal thieves.


What could’ve been a heartfelt story about reputation and growth? Instead becomes a messy mix of slapstick gags, overexplained themes, and mean-spirited comedy.


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👤 Character Rundown

Peter Rabbit (James Corden) – Still more obnoxious than mischievous. The film knows he’s annoying, but instead of fixing it, they just wink at the audience about it.

Bea (Rose Byrne) – The closest thing to heart in the movie, but sadly undercut by the cartoon chaos around her.

Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) – Still the best part, but toned down from the first. His rivalry with Peter is played more for over-the-top slapstick than actual tension.

Barnabas (Lennie James) – The “cool thief rabbit” who becomes a bad influence on Peter. He’s a fun voice performance but feels like he belongs in a different film.



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⏱️ Pacing / Episode Flow

The film moves fast but feels sluggish at the same time. It jumps from one gag to the next with little weight, so even when something emotional happens, it doesn’t land. The middle act (Peter and Barnabas’ heist arc) drags on forever, making it feel longer than it actually is.


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✅ Pros

The animation and character designs are still sharp — the rabbits look great.

Domhnall Gleeson is game for anything. He throws himself into the slapstick, and his commitment almost makes it work.

Some of the Bea subplot actually nails the satire of commercialization — her sweet little book being turned into a flashy, soulless product mirrors what these movies did to Potter’s work.



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❌ Cons

Peter is still insufferable — if not worse.

The “meta-jokes” about Peter being annoying aren’t clever. They’re just confirmation the writers know he’s unlikeable.

The middle act drags with Peter’s heist gang, which isn’t nearly as funny or charming as the filmmakers think.

It feels like the movie is mocking you for watching it, with constant winks about how bad children’s films are — all while being one.

The plot is overstuffed and undercooked, trying to do too much at once and succeeding at none of it.



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💭 Final Thoughts

Peter Rabbit 2 is somehow worse than the first. At least the original had the novelty of being “so wrong it’s baffling.” The sequel just doubles down on that tone and adds a smug layer of meta-humor. What could’ve been a sweet children’s story about acceptance and reputation becomes a noisy, shallow comedy that treats Beatrix Potter’s world like a punchline.

It’s meaner than it needs to be, lazier than it should be, and far less charming than it thinks it is.

If you want proof this didn’t have to be this way, just look at the Paddington films. Those movies prove you can modernize a beloved children’s character without selling out their soul. Paddington is funny, heartfelt, and yes, a little absurd at times — but always rooted in kindness. His mischief comes from misunderstanding, not malice. He’s never cruel, never smug. The humor lifts you up, and the warmth of the London setting makes you want to live in that world.

Compare that to Peter Rabbit. Instead of charm, we get mean-spirited slapstick. Instead of warmth, we get noise. Instead of staying true to Beatrix Potter’s simple yet timeless tone, these films feel like they’re parodying the very idea of children’s stories. Paddington made me smile and feel good. Peter Rabbit made me roll my eyes and wonder who thought this was a good idea.

If Paddington is the gold standard for how to adapt a children’s classic, then Peter Rabbit is the anti-Paddington. Where Paddington is gentle, funny, and overflowing with heart, Peter is obnoxious, mean-spirited, and loud. Paddington made me believe a bear could bring joy to a whole city; Peter made me believe James Corden just wanted to cash a paycheck. One feels timeless, the other already feels dated. Paddington makes you want to hug him. Peter makes you want to punt him.



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⭐ Rating

4/10 — Not quite unwatchable, but pretty close.


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⚠️ Spoiler Warning

Alright, spoilers ahead.


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🩸 Spoilers

The “plot” kicks in when Peter, tired of being called the bad one, meets Barnabas — a rough-around-the-edges rabbit who promises him a life of crime. Peter tags along, joining Barnabas’ gang to steal food from markets. This is the big character arc: instead of learning to be good, Peter decides, “Fine, I’ll be bad.” Real inspiring.

Meanwhile, Bea gets offered a publishing deal, but the slimy publisher pushes her to modernize the stories. This leads to ridiculous “boardroom pitch” moments where Peter and friends are dressed up as pirates or astronauts. Funny? No. It just mocks the idea of keeping things true to Potter’s simple charm.

McGregor, on the other hand, keeps clashing with Peter. But instead of actual rivalry, it’s just more slapstick — McGregor gets flung off walls, tossed into rivers, electrocuted, etc. Again.

The heist subplot overstays its welcome — Peter betrays McGregor, teams up with Barnabas, then realizes (shock!) Barnabas is a bad guy. Barnabas backstabs him, forcing Peter to crawl back to Bea and McGregor, leading to the most predictable redemption arc ever.

The finale? A ridiculous train sequence where the animals team up to stop Barnabas and save the stolen goods. It’s flashy, overlong, and weightless — ending with Peter “learning” that he’s not defined by his mistakes. But really, the film never punishes him for being terrible.

By the time credits roll, Peter is still loud, smug, and irritating — just now with slightly more people saying “maybe you’re not so bad.”


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👉 This isn’t Beatrix Potter. This is a franchise trying to be Deadpool for kids — self-aware, snarky, and soulless.