Netflix has announced a brand-new holiday special based on DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed animated feature The Bad Guys in 2023.
The Bad Guys debuted on Netflix on 1 November in the U.S. as part of the streamer’s animated license deal with Universal, topping Netflix’s weekly Top 10 Films in the United States for the week of 31 October-6 November. The film opened in theaters to critical acclaim earlier this year, topping the U.S. box office for two weeks in a row and grossing over $250 million worldwide.
Directed by Emmy winner Bret Haaland (The Penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness), who is executive producing with Katherina Nolfi (Abominable and the Invisible City), the as-yet untitled special is set before the events of the movie.
Here’s the official synopsis: There’s nothing the Bad Guys love more than Christmas morning — because while everyone is home opening presents, it’s the perfect time to execute their city-wide holiday heist. But when Christmas is unexpectedly canceled, the Bad Guys must do the unthinkable: reignite the city’s holiday spirit by giving instead of taking.
The Bad Guys holiday special joins Netflix’s expanding Kids & Family animated slate which includes series such as The Cuphead Show!, Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight, the upcoming Sonic Prime and My Dad: The Bounty Hunter; preschool shows such as Spirit Rangers, Gabby’s Dollhouse, The Creature Cases, Chip and Potato and the upcoming Princess Powers.