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Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

From Alfawiki
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
Company typeFilm
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2021
FounderWill Gluck
ProductsLive-action animated comedy film
ParentSony Pictures Releasing (Columbia Pictures)

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway is a 2021 live-action animated comedy film directed and produced by Will Gluck, who also co-authored the screenplay alongside Patrick Burleigh. Serving as the follow-up to Peter Rabbit (2018), this installment draws inspiration from Beatrix Potter's beloved Peter Rabbit tales. The film features James Corden reprising his role as the titular character, alongside live-action performances by Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, and David Oyelowo, with voice contributions from Elizabeth Debicki, Lennie James, and Margot Robbie.

Originally delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie was eventually released in theaters by Sony Pictures Releasing under the Columbia Pictures banner. It debuted in Australia on March 25, 2021, followed by releases in the United Kingdom on May 17 and the United States on June 11. While it did not achieve the same box office heights as its predecessor, it accumulated $154 million globally. Critical reception was mixed.

Plot

Following the events of the first film, Thomas McGregor and Bea tie the knot in a ceremony attended by both their human and animal companions, with Peter coming to accept Thomas' presence in his life. About a month after their honeymoon, Thomas supports Bea as she develops a children's storybook centered on Peter and his friends, though Peter feels upset by his portrayal as mischievous. When a publisher expresses interest in distributing the book, Thomas and Bea bring Peter, Benjamin, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail to meet Nigel Basil-Jones. Nigel introduces a promotional strategy that casts Peter as a troublemaker and unveils a villain-themed movie poster concept.

Feeling discouraged, Peter departs and encounters Barnabas, an older rabbit who claims to have been close to Peter’s late father. The two are soon apprehended by animal control officers and taken to a pet pound, where they receive care from a young girl named Amelia. Barnabas leads Peter and his group in pilfering food from the household refrigerator with assistance from Barnabas’ associates for their hideout. He reveals that his father used to steal for Peter’s family until Thomas and Bea locate Peter and bring him back home. The following day, Peter persuades Benjamin and his sisters to join Barnabas’ crew in a scheme to steal dried fruit from the farmers market.

Meanwhile, Thomas grows increasingly suspicious of Nigel’s marketing tactics after additional meetings reveal proposals that compromise Bea’s creative intentions. At the market, the rabbits successfully seize dried fruit but are captured by animal catchers at a petting zoo. Barnabas confesses he intended to keep the stolen goods for himself and sought out Peter after reading about him in Bea’s book, despite lacking knowledge of Peter’s father.

Feeling remorseful, Peter parts ways with Barnabas and enlists Thomas’ help to free their friends. After encountering difficulties with transportation, they turn to Bea during her meeting with Nigel, who advocates for extravagant storylines involving space escapades and daring rescues. Bea withdraws her stories from Nigel’s company and collaborates with Thomas and Peter to orchestrate their friends’ rescue through exaggerated adventures. The rabbits then apprehend Barnabas and his crew by binding them for removal via a tailor shop owner’s truck, which takes them back to the pound. They return the stolen dried fruit to its rightful sellers at the market before reuniting with Thomas and Bea on their journey home. Later on, Thomas and Bea welcome a baby girl, with Bea titling her new book Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway.

Live-action

Production

Sony Pictures initiated development of a sequel to Peter Rabbit in May 2018. By February 2019, David Oyelowo had joined the cast alongside returning actors Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson. Later, in October 2019, Elizabeth Debicki and Margot Robbie confirmed their return to voice roles.

Filming commenced in January 2019 at Centennial Parklands in Australia. Additional scenes were shot in the Lake District, specifically Ambleside and Haverthwaite, as well as various London locations such as Richmond Bridge and Gloucester Docks, featuring a replica of the House of the Tailor of Gloucester. Further filming took place in Camden, New South Wales.

Music

The score for the movie was composed by Dominic Lewis, with the soundtrack album released by Madison Gate Records on June 18, 2021.

Release

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway had its theatrical debut in Australia on March 25, 2021, followed by releases in the United Kingdom on May 17 and the United States on June 11.

Initially slated for a U.S. premiere on February 7, 2020, the film experienced multiple postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The release date shifted from April 3, 2020, to August 7, then January 15, 2021. Subsequent adjustments moved it through April 2, June 11, May 14, July 2, June 18, before finally settling on June 11. These alterations reflected strategic decisions responding to pandemic-related market fluctuations and international box office results.

Home media

The film became available on VOD starting July 27, 2021. Physical formats including DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray were released on August 24, 2021, through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Box office

Worldwide earnings for Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway totaled $154 million, comprising $40.5 million from the United States and Canada and $113.5 million from international markets.

In North America, it debuted alongside In the Heights and The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2. Industry forecasts anticipated $16–20 million from 3,346 theaters; however, Sony projected a more modest $8–10 million opening. The film generated $4 million on opening day—including $900,000 during Thursday previews—and ultimately grossed $10.1 million in its first weekend. This placed it fourth behind A Quiet Place Part II, In the Heights, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Its second weekend saw a decline of 39.8%, earning $6.1 million and ranking third; a further drop of 21.5% occurred in the third weekend with $4.8 million (fourth place).

Internationally, it opened to $2.1 million in Australia and amassed $9.2 million by its third weekend there. In the UK market, it topped box office charts during cinema reopenings with $6.4 million over its initial three days.

Critical response

Audience polling by CinemaScore awarded the film an average grade of "A−," while PostTrak reported that 74% of viewers responded positively and 45% would definitely recommend it.

Courtney Howard of Variety described it as a "superior sequel" that combines meta-commentary on previous events with a significant character development moment for the lead. Brian Penn from UK Film Review praised it as an enjoyable "popcorn movie," emphasizing the voice cast’s strong performances.

Ian Freer of Empire gave it three out of five stars, noting that compared to other family films like The Mitchells vs. the Machines, it feels somewhat "thin and generic." Nonetheless, he commended the chemistry between Byrne and Gleeson along with clever slapstick humor. He concluded that it "works well thanks to a mocking sense of self and a strong second half," though it may not fully satisfy fans devoted to Beatrix Potter. Meanwhile, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated it two out of five stars, critiquing its lack of authentic humor and describing it as overly influenced by test marketing strategies. Christy Lemire from RogerEbert.com also gave a two out of four stars rating, observing that although the film repeats some questionable creative choices from before, it remains a lively family-friendly option for cinema audiences.

Accolades

During the 11th AACTA Awards, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway received several nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Production Design. It ultimately won the award for Best Visual Effects or Animation. Additionally, the film's visual effects were honored with the Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Visual or Special FX in TV Series or Feature Film at the third edition of the event.

External links

AACTA Award winners

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