Paddington 2, the 2017 sequel starring Hugh Grant, airs on BBC One tonight at 7:10pm. The beloved family film holds a near-perfect 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been hailed by fans as one of the greatest movies ever made.
A sequel that surpassed the original
Directed by Paul King and based on Michael Bond's iconic British children's book series, the film follows the much-loved bear on an even grander adventure. It blends live action and animated comedy, with Paddington falsely accused and imprisoned for a burglary he did not commit. The Brown family go to extraordinary lengths to track down the true culprit and prove his innocence.
While in prison, Paddington's warm and gentle nature wins over his hardened fellow inmates, who eventually help him in a daring escape attempt. Audiences are left on tenterhooks hoping he won't be caught, while willing the real thief to face justice so that Paddington can finally find peace.
Critical acclaim and box office success
Upon its release, the film garnered widespread critical praise and three BAFTA nominations: Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Hugh Grant. During its opening weekend in the UK, it took $10.9 million at the box office, considerably more than the already-triumphant first instalment.
The stellar British ensemble cast includes Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown, Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington.
Fans share glowing reviews
One Rotten Tomatoes review reads: "One of my all-time favourites. Genuinely one of the only films where the 2nd one is better than the first! Really funny, bound to put you in a good mood afterwards."
Another viewer commented: "The whimsical humour is laugh-out-loud funny, and the film is beautiful to look at - colourful, detailed, and full of visual surprises. The actors are all very appealing. At times the humour hints at Wes Anderson, which is a very good thing. A first-rate feel-good movie."
Reflecting on the emotional connection between Paddington and his aunt Lucy, one viewer wrote: "A heartwarming and beautiful movie that is not only entertaining for kids but for adults as well. There are many funny jokes throughout the movie which are really well done. But the best part is easily the emotional connection between Paddington and his aunt Lucy. Which drives the whole movie and makes it so enjoyable to watch."
A third instalment followed
Paddington 2 captivated audiences globally to such an extent that a third instalment, Paddington in Peru, arrived in cinemas in 2024. For a perfect family night in, you can watch Paddington 2 on BBC1 at 7:10pm tonight.
