Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

Parents say
Based on 12 reviews
Kids say
Based on 21 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway is the action-packed sequel to Peter Rabbit. It's loosely based on Beatrix Potter's books and has lots of comic violence. Although Peter (voiced by James Corden) has learned from the mistakes of the first movie -- he now protects Mr. McGregor's (Domhnall Gleeson) tomato garden, stopping others from stealing the produce -- he falls in with a group of criminal animals. This leads to various violent altercations, including punching and kicking people in the face, although there's no sense of any lasting injuries. Animals are seen caged in a pet store; in another scene, humans try to capture and hurt the rabbits. There's an unsettling moment when a pig is hung by the waist with a rope, though it ends up being a prank on Peter. The language is mild, but a character is called a "sissy." Bea (Rose Byrne) almost decides to sell her stories about Peter after she's offered a lot of money -- and even a movie adaptation. But she decides, after much temptation, not to give up her morals for materialistic goods. One of the rabbits is seen eating sweets and subsequently has a drug-like experience (when she goes without, she even suffers withdrawal symptoms). Although many of the characters stray from what's right, they eventually realize the error of their ways.
Community Reviews
disappointed in sequel
Report this review
Lacklustre
Report this review
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
- Studio: Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Book Characters, Horses and Farm Animals, Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Courage, Teamwork
- Run time: 93 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some rude humor and action
- Last updated: May 4, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love animals
Character Strengths
Find more movies that help kids build character.
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate