Get ready, PaddiSTANS: our furry king is about to return to the big screens of the United States withPaddington in Peru, andhe’s bringing with him a fairly decentRotten Tomatoes score(and hopefully a marmalade sandwich or two). Everyone’s favorite stuffed bear (voiced byBen Whishaw) may have debuted in the United Kingdom back in November, but he’s finally set to debut his latest adventure here on June 13, 2025 (after being pushed from an original release date of January 17). And while the crticial consensus points to a slightly-less-enjoyable thrill ride than its predecessors, it’s still one of the most favorably reviewed movies of the year thus far according to the aforementioned, tomato-based website.
At the time of the film’s initial international release,the Rotten Tomatoes score was 91%, but in the intervening weeks leading up to its American debut, the film’s score has actually risen slightly to 93%. And while that is not exactly as high asPaddington 2’s 99% fresh or evenPaddington’s 97%, it’s still leagues better than a lot of the family-friendly fare being served up to viewers these days. And let’s be fair here: no sequel was ever going to hold a candle to one of the greatest achievements in cinematic history that isPaddington 2. (This is not really a matter of overzealous PaddiFan opinion at this point, but merely facts.)
How Does ‘Paddington in Peru’ Compare To The Previous ‘Paddington’ Installments?
According to the official synopsis, the latest film takes place after “Paddington discovers his beloved aunt has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears,” meaning that he and the Brown family “head to the jungles of Peru to find her. Determined to solve the mystery, they soon stumble across a legendary treasure as they make their way through the rainforests of the Amazon.” It’s a slightly different adventure for the character — one that feels far moreIndiana Jonesin nature — but according to the “Critics Consensus” on RT, “Paddington in Peruwhisks away cinema’s politest bear to a fresh setting under new creative stewardship, delivering a most agreeable adventure for the whole family.” And the other critics seem to mostly agree.
The film’s issues lie with the new creative team, it seems — namely the new director Dougal Wilson (making his feature directorial debut) and writers Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont. AsDavid Ehrlich over atIndieWireput it:
“The fact is that [‘Paddington’and ‘Paddington 2’ director Paul] King tapped into a singular magic with his take on Michael Bond’s iconic British immigrant, but even the lesser spell that another filmmaker might cast with it would be preferable to depriving audiences another go-around with Ben Whishaw and the Brown family. That would be the case in any era, but it’s especially true at a time when ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’is what passes for a live-action kids movie.”
That said, other critics were less gracious, withTheWrap’s William Bibbianisaying that the new film “stinks.” He went on to explain himself, sayingPaddington in Peruis “exactly the kind of bland, forgettable dreck that we probably all expected thePaddingtonmovies to be in the first place, before they wowed us and raised our expectations. The new film has some heart, but it’s buried beneath a lot of hackneyed writing and tedious padding. Like, a ton of padding. A padding ton.”
Variety’s Guy Lodgeput it plainly, adding that “King’s gonzo visual imagination and antic humor lent the first two an offbeat, slightly chaotic charm that won over as many adults as it did children. Wilson’s film, while suitably bright and busy, is a more conventional kids’ entertainment, with a contrived quest narrative that lands the franchise further than ever from the modest, homey spirit of Michael Bond’s original books.”
Paddington in Peru Features a Cheeky Cameo From a Franchise Favorite
A Paddington fan favorite appears in the latest installment of the popular franchise – can you guess who it is?
In the end,The Hollywood Reporter’s Leslie Felperinperhaps said it best, noting that “the sequel is certainly no disgrace. It has many charming elements and qualities, including spectacular scenery, a child-friendly adventure story and Olivia Colman as a manically grinning, occasionally singing, nun,” but that “Paddington in Peruis burdened with the unenviable task of following up two near-perfect predecessors.”
Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain forthisparticular writer: she will be seeing and supporting her favorite Peruvian bear and kindly British family, regardless of its Rotten Tomatoes score. Because in a world gone deeply bleak, Paddington Bear is a light.
Paddington in Peru
Paddington in Peru, directed by Dougal Wilson, follows Paddington Bear as he travels to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. Joined by the Brown Family, they embark on a thrilling journey through the Amazon rainforest and the mountain peaks of Peru after encountering a mystery.
