Paddington 2 sets record as the best reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Given the large and diverse number of movie critics out there, it's remarkable that any film can recieve unanimous praise, but PADDINGTON 2 seems to have managed it. The sequel has now become the best reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes, with 167 consecutive Fresh reviews without a single Rotten write-up, breaking the record previously held by TOY STORY 2.

Director Paul King reacted to the news while speaking with Deadline, saying "It’s incredibly gratifying. It’s such a strange process making these films which are preposterously labor-intensive. Normally you feel a film is coming into shape fairly quickly, but when it’s semi-animated so much of it evolves over the following year and you spend so many dozens of hours in darkened rooms looking at incredibly small details. You get incredibly meticulous and controll-y over every last frame. But there’s a danger you entirely lose your mind — and there’s an extraordinary moment when your head comes above water and the first response is from critics." King added that the film was finished "on a Wednesday at 11 and we screened it [for critics] at about 2PM that afternoon. It’s a strange experience and you can’t help but hope for the best for this little character and the film you’ve created. It’s very lovely they were warm and enthusiastic."

PADDINGTON 2 finds the titular bear (Ben Whishaw) searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s (Imelda Staunton) hundredth birthday. Upon finding a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s (Jim Broadbent) antique shop, he embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns (Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins) to unmask the thief.

Our own JimmyO thought highly of the film as well, calling it "a modern day storybook come to life" in his review. "The film also features a fantastic group of actors who all joyfully embrace the material," JimmyO said. "Sally Hawkins and Hugh Bonneville are excellent, and Hugh Grant gives one of his most inspired performances to date. And let us not forget Julie Walters and Paddington himself, Ben Whishaw. PADDINGTON 2 pulls you in with its humor, just as it is getting ready to bring a tear to your eye. This is a perfect film for all audiences." I haven't seen PADDINGTON 2 for myself yet, but I can't help but smile whenever a trailer for the film comes on. A little marmalade and pleasantness goes a long way.

PADDINGTON 2 is now playing in theaters.