Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Superior sequel with slapstick violence pokes fun at itself.
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Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say the film offers a mix of humor and adventure that keeps children entertained, although it diverges from the charm of the original and introduces some darker characters that may concern certain parents. While many enjoyed the fun and family-friendly messages, others criticized its inconsistency and unnecessary departure from its source material.
- fun and cute
- humor and adventure
- family-friendly messages
- inconsistent storytelling
- not true to originals
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 22 kid reviews
What's the Story?
PETER RABBIT 2: THE RUNAWAY finds Peter (voiced by James Corden) living happily together with his owner, Bea (Rose Byrne), and her husband (and Peter's former adversary), Mr. McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson). But when Bea is tempted to sell the rights to her stories about Peter -- to publisher Nigel Basil-Jones (David Oyelowo) -- Peter realizes that in this franchise he's painted as a villain. Disheartened, he leaves his family behind and is taken under the wing of fellow rabbit Barnabas (Lennie James), who introduces him to a life of crime.
Is It Any Good?
Unlike the 2018 original, this sequel is a fun and entertaining adventure flick, with enjoyable action-heavy sequences and an impressively regular hit rate of jokes. Though not possessing the same British charm of the original books, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, helmed by American director Will Gluck (Easy A), is very self-aware. Corden once again voices Peter, and the film highlights, on more than one occasion, that his voice annoys some -- a criticism regularly thrown at the first movie. Furthermore, the whole narrative plays with the notion of a huge Hollywood adaptation of a popular series of kids' books losing sight of what made the stories so popular in the first place. It's all very meta.
Yet while it should be commended for poking fun at itself, the movie is still guilty of the very crime it's highlighting. That said, it is funny and it never fails to keep your attention. It's also a film that can be enjoyed by all the family, although some of the more extreme slapstick violence may be too much for younger viewers. Purists may still turn their noses up, but this sequel deserves credit for improving on what was a disappointing first movie with a large dose of self-deprecating humor.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the action and violence in Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. The violence may be slapstick in its approach, but it is regular and often quite full-on. Did you find the violence funny, or at times was it too aggressive?
Discuss the idea of being unfairly judged, or underestimated. Have you ever felt that way? Did you prove the doubter wrong? If so, how?
Discuss the dilemma that Bea faces with regard to selling the stories she's written about Peter. Why was she tempted to sell them? What changed her mind? What would you have done in her situation?
How did this movie compare to the first film? What were the differences? Which did you prefer and why?
Have you read the original Peter Rabbit books by Beatrix Potter? How did this movie compare? What is the appeal of movies based on books?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 11, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : August 17, 2021
- Cast : James Corden , Elizabeth Debicki , Lennie James
- Director : Will Gluck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some rude humor and action
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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