The Secret Life of Pets 2 is a 2019 American animated comedy film produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination, and distributed by Universal. It is the sequel to The Secret Life of Pets (2016), and the second feature film in the franchise of the same name. It was directed by Chris Renaud, co-directed by Jonathan del Val (in his feature directorial debut), produced by Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and written by Brian Lynch. The film features the voices of Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Lake Bell, Nick Kroll, Dana Carvey, Ellie Kemper, Renaud, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, and Harrison Ford.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 was theatrically released in the United States on June 7, 2019. Critics praised the animation and humor but criticized the plot. It grossed $446 million worldwide against its production budget of $80 million, making less than its predecessor,[4] but still turning a profit.[6] A third film is in development.
Plot[]
Following the events of the first film, Max and Duke's owner Katie has married a man named Chuck and had a son, Liam. Max's resentful, then overprotective, feelings for Liam develop into an itch that leads Katie to get him a humiliating dog cone from the veterinarian, but his luck changes when Duke reveals the family is going on a road trip.
Before Max leaves, he entrusts his favorite toy, Busy Bee, to his friend Gidget. However, Gidget loses Busy Bee in a cat-infested apartment owned by a cat lady, so she gets "cat lessons" from Chloe in order to sneak into the apartment. With help from Norman, she unintentionally causes the cats to hail her as their "queen", allowing her to retrieve Busy Bee.
When Max, Duke and their family reach a farm owned by Chuck's uncle, Max is initially unaccustomed to its way of life. Local Welsh Sheepdog Rooster tells him to get over his insecurities about Liam and ditches his dog cone. After Max tries and fails to emulate Rooster's herding skills, Rooster enlists him to find Cotton, a lost lamb. Rooster's advice about overcoming fear helps Max to rescue Cotton from a falling tree, earning Rooster's respect.
Meanwhile Snowball, who dreams of being a superhero, meets Shih Tzu Daisy, who explains that she needs help to rescue Hu, a white tiger being held captive by abusive circus owner Sergei. Daisy and Snowball sneak into the circus, and evade Sergei's pack of wolves to free Hu. However, during the escape, Daisy loses her flower clip, which the wolves use to track her down.
Daisy and Snowball take Hu to Pops' apartment first; Pops reluctantly lets Hu stay, but after he makes a mess, he is relocated to Max and Duke's apartment. Sergei and his wolves track Daisy there and capture her and Hu, fleeing on a train. With Duke and Max home from their trip, the latter helps Snowball and Norman go after Sergei and contacts Gidget for assistance. Gidget, Max's friends, and the cats trick the cat lady into pursuing the train in her car.
Max takes out the wolves, and Snowball fires Sergei's pet monkey out of a cannon while freeing Daisy. The monkey lands on Max, knocking him off the train; remembering Rooster’s encouraging words and using his newfound bravery, he jumps back onto the train from the top of a tunnel. The other pets free Hu and kick Sergei out of the train but before they can escape, Sergei holds them at gunpoint. Gidget and the cats arrive just in time, knocking him out with the cat lady's car and offering the others a ride home. Life resumes as normal, with Hu finding a new home with the cat lady, and Max letting go of his anxiety for Liam while sending him off to preschool.
Cast[]
Harrison Ford joins the cast as the voice of Rooster.[7]
- Patton Oswalt as Max, a Jack Russell Terrier. Oswalt replaces Louis C.K., who voiced the character in the first film
- Jenny Slate as Gidget, a white Pomeranian dog
- Harrison Ford as Rooster, a Welsh Sheepdog
- Kevin Hart as Snowball, a white rabbit and a would-be superhero
- Tiffany Haddish as Daisy, a Shih Tzu
- Eric Stonestreet as Duke, a brown Newfoundland who lives with Max
- Lake Bell as Chloe, a fat and apathetic gray tabby cat
- Nick Kroll as Sergei, an abusive circus owner
- Dana Carvey as Pops, an elderly Basset Hound whose back legs are paralyzed
- Chris Renaud as Norman, a guinea pig
- Ellie Kemper as Katie, Max and Duke's owner
- Hannibal Buress as Buddy, a laid-back dachshund
- Bobby Moynihan as Mel, a hyperactive pug
- Pete Holmes as Chuck, Katie's husband
- Henry Lynch as Liam, Katie and Chuck's toddler son
- Sean Giambrone as Cotton, a young lamb who Max and Rooster save from a cliff[8]
- Meredith Salenger as a cat lady[9]
- Michael Beattie as:
- The lead wolf of Sergei's wolf pack
- A skinny cat
- Kiely Renaud as Molly, Snowball's owner
- Tara Strong as:
- Sweetpea, a budgie parakeet
- Pickles, an English Bulldog who is one of Pops' students in Puppy School
- Baby Liam
- Additional Voices
- Jessica DiCicco as:
- Princess, a Poodle who is one of Pops' students in Puppy School
- Tiny, a young basset hound who is also one of Pops' students in Puppy School
- Additional Voices
- Garth Jennings as a hamster[10]
Production[]
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment announced a sequel to the original The Secret Life of Pets in 2016 with director Chris Renaud and writer Brian Lynch returning,[11] and Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy producing.[12] The Oatmeal writer Matthew Inman worked on the film as a creative consultant.[13]
Louis C.K. was planned to reprise his role as Max, but after being accused of and later admitting to sexual misconduct with several women in November 2017, C.K. was dropped from the sequel.[14] Patton Oswalt took over for C.K. as Max the following year in April, while Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Tara Strong, Hannibal Buress, and Bobby Moynihan reprised their roles. Additional casting includes Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll, Harrison Ford and Pete Holmes.[15]
Music[]
- Main article: The Secret Life of Pets 2 (soundtrack)
Alexandre Desplat, who composed the score of the first film, returned for the sequel.[1] The soundtrack was released by Back Lot Music on May 31, 2019, featuring three cover versions of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day", Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and Desiigner's "Panda". The songs were performed by LunchMoney Lewis, Aminé, Jack Antonoff and Kevin Hart.[16]
Release[]
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Kevin Hart at the film's premiere.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 was released in the United States on June 7, 2019 by Universal Pictures.[17] It was previously set for a July 13, 2018 release,[11] and then July 3, 2019.[12] The film was released in the United Kingdom two weeks earlier on May 24.[18]
Home media[]
The film was released on digital on August 13, 2019 by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, with Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD releases following on August 27. It includes two mini-movies: Super Gidget, and Minion Scouts.[19] The 4K Ultra HD version was also Universal's first release to use the HDR10+ format.[20]
Reception[]
Box office[]
The Secret Life of Pets 2 grossed $159 million in the United States and Canada, and $287.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $446.2 million, against a production budget of $80 million.[4][5] Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the film to be $118 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.[6]
In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Dark Phoenix and was initially projected to gross around $60 million in its opening weekend. The film played in 4,561 theaters, the second-widest release ever at the time.[21] After making $17.4 million on its first day (including $2.2 million from Thursday night previews, down from the first film's $5.3 million), estimates were lowered to $46 million. It went on to debut to $46.7 million,[22] less than half the opening of the first film, but still finishing first at the weekend box office.[23][24] In its second weekend, the film made $24.4 million, finishing second behind newcomer Men in Black: International,[25] and then made $10.3 million in its third weekend, finishing in fifth place.[26]
In the United Kingdom, the film debuted to $4.1 million from 613 theaters on the May 24 weekend.[27] A week later, the film expanded to Russia and added a combined $17.2 million from the two countries.[28]
Critical response[]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of Lua error in Module:Rotten_Tomatoes_data at line 136: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). based on Lua error in Module:Rotten_Tomatoes_data at line 136: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). reviews with an average rating of Lua error in Module:Rotten_Tomatoes_data at line 136: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).. The site's critical consensus reads: "The Secret Life of Pets 2 doesn't teach its animated stars any new narrative tricks -- but for fans of the original, this funny, energetic sequel should still satisfy."[29] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 55 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[30] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, the same score as the first film, while those at PostTrak gave it an average 4.5 out of 5 stars.[23]
Courtney Howard of Variety magazine wrote: "It's unusual for a typical Illumination broad comedy to include a heartrending message that makes parents feel less alone in their very real, visceral struggles. It's just cloaked in a shenanigans-soaked romp about what pets do when humans aren't looking."[31] James Berardinelli gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars but called the film "a perfect example of what can happen when a sequel exists simply because its predecessor made a lot of money". He called it "a disappointingly mediocre effort that doesn't have a lot to offer potential viewers over age 10" saying it was unfocused and "essentially three separate shorts connected only by the presence of returning characters".[32]
Emily Davison of UK Film Review called it "a much more enjoyable outing" and said the "voice cast is also strong all around".[33]
Accolades[]
At the 47th Annie Awards, The Secret Life of Pets 2 received nominations for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in a Feature Production (Slate) and Outstanding Achievement for Editorial in a Feature Production (Tiffany Hillkurtz).[34] It was nominated in three categories at the 2021 Golden Trailer Awards: "Panda" (Inside Job) for Best Animation/Family TV Spot, "Rooftop" (Lindeman & Associates) for Best Animation/Family Movie Poster, and "Graffiti" (Lindeman & Associates) for Best Wildposts.[35] The film, and the performances of Hart and Haddish, each received a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award and a People's Choice Award nomination.[36][37]
Sequel[]
In March 2022, in an interview on the podcast The Gary and Kenny Show, Meledandri stated that a third film is in development.[38]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Alexandre Desplat to Return for 'The Secret Life of Pets 2' - Film Music Reporter.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Film releases. Variety Insight.
- ↑ THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 17, 2020). 'The Secret Life Of Pets 2' Meows Moola At No. 14 On Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament. Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Truitt, Brian (June 5, 2019). "Harrison Ford is cool with being a dog in 'The Secret Life of Pets 2': 'I don't like cats'". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Verniere, James (June 6, 2019). "'Secret Life of Pets 2' is near purr-fect". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Meredith Salenger [@MeredthSalenger] (April 11, 2019). "I hope so!!!!!!! I'm used to voicing cute young things! The little ol' lady was a first for me! Thank you!!!!!!! Xoxoxoxox" (Tweet). Retrieved December 24, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Brian Lynch [@BrianLynch] (May 28, 2019). "#TheSecretLifeOfPets2 Fun Fact: The Hamster at the pet therapist who is frustrated that running in his wheel doesn't actually GET HIM ANYWHERE is a joke I've had in my head for about 20 years. And he's voiced by SING/SON OF RAMBOW/HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE director Garth Jennings" (Tweet). Retrieved December 24, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 McNary, Dave (August 2, 2016). 'Secret Life of Pets 2' in the Works, Set for 2018 Release.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Minions 2 and Sing 2 Announced, Pets 2 Pushed Back a Year". ComingSoon.net. January 25, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
- ↑ The Secret Life of Matt.
- ↑ Universal Pictures, Illumination Parts Ways With Louis C.K. On 'Secret Life Of Pets 2'. Deadline (November 10, 2017).
- ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 25, 2018). Harrison Ford Takes First Animated Role, In Illumination's 'The Secret Life Of Pets 2'.
- ↑ The Secret Life of Pets 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Alexandre Desplat (en-us) (31 May 2019).
- ↑ 'The Secret Life Of Pets 2' Will Be Unleashed A Month Earlier (August 15, 2017).
- ↑ 'The Secret Life of Pets 2' In UK Cinemas 27 May 2019 (20 November 2018).
- ↑ 'The Secret Life of Pets 2' Coming to Digital Aug. 13, Disc Aug. 27 From Universal (July 19, 2019).
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Archer, John (July 17, 2019). "HDR Format War Update: Now Universal Goes Dual Format Too". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ↑ Fuster, Jeremy (June 4, 2019). 'Secret Life of Pets 2' and 'Dark Phoenix' Vie for Top Spot in Crowded Box Office. TheWrap.
- ↑ Weekend Actuals: The Secret Life of Pets 2 Barks Up $46.6M at No. 1; Runner-Up Dark Phoenix Disappoints w/ $32.8M (June 9, 2019).
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Anthony D'Alessandro (June 9, 2019). Sequelitis Scorches Franchises To Box Office Lows: 'Secret Life Of Pets 2' $46M+, 'Dark Phoenix' Burnt To A Crisp With $33M+.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Hailey Waller (June 9, 2019). "'Secret Life of Pets 2' Tops Poorly Received 'Dark Phoenix'". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 16, 2019). 'Men In Black: International' Domestic Passport Revoked With $26M Opening, 'Shaft' Drops His Gun With $7M+: Summer Sequelitis, Here We Go Again.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."'Toy Story 4' $121 Million Debut Falls Short of Estimates". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. June 23, 2019. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ↑ Nancy Tartaglione (May 28, 2019). 'Aladdin' Takes Princely $207M Global Bow; 'Rocketman' Blasts Off In UK – International Box Office.
- ↑ Nancy Tartaglione (June 2, 2019). 'Godzilla: King Of The Monsters' '$130M Overseas Bow Is #1, But Not Royal; 'Aladdin' Still A Prince & 'Rocketman' Electric – International Box Office. Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019). Fandango.
- ↑ The Secret Life of Pets 2 Reviews. CBS Interactive.
- ↑ Howard, Courtney (May 23, 2019). Film Review: 'The Secret Life of Pets 2'.
- ↑ Berardinelli, James (June 7, 2019). Secret Life of Pets 2, The.
- ↑ Davison, Emily (30 May 2021). The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) Film Review.
- ↑ Klaus Wins Big at Annie Awards for Animation (January 25, 2020).
- ↑ Golden Trailer Awards: A Quiet Place: Part II, Black Widow Among Winners (July 22, 2021).
- ↑ Gennis, Sadie (May 3, 2020). Kids Choice Awards 2020: Full Winners List.
- ↑ People's Choice Awards: Avengers: Endgame Named Best Movie (November 10, 2019).
- ↑ Template:Cite podcast
External links[]
Template:Wikiquote
- Official website
- Template:Rotten Tomatoes
- The Secret Life of Pets 2 at IMDb
Template:The Secret Life of Pets
| v - e - dFilms directed by Chris Renaud |
|---|
| No Time for Nuts (2006) • Despicable Me (2010) • The Lorax (2012) • Despicable Me 2 (2013) • The Secret Life of Pets (2016) • The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) |
v - e - d | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feature films | Computer animated | Despicable Me (2010) • The Lorax (2012) • Despicable Me 2 (2013) • Minions (2015) • The Secret Life of Pets (2016) • Sing (2016) • Despicable Me 3 (2017) • The Grinch (2018) • The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) • Sing 2 (2021) • Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) • The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) • Q-Force (2023) • Migration (2023) |
| Live-action/computer animated | Hop (2011) | |
| Franchises | Despicable Me • The Secret Life of Pets • Sing | |
| People | Chris Meledandri | |
| See also | Despicable Me Minion Mayhem • Lego Minions: The Rise of Gru • Mac Guff • Illumination Studios Paris • DreamWorks Animation • Universal Animation Studios • Amblimation • List of Universal Pictures theatrical animated feature films (unproduced projects) | |
v - e - d | ||
|---|---|---|
| Universal Animation Studios | Curious George (2006) • Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! (2009) • Woody Woodpecker (2017) • Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp (2024) | |
| DreamWorks Animation | How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) • Abominable (2019) • Trolls World Tour (2020) • The Croods: A New Age (2020) • Spirit Untamed (2021) • The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) • The Bad Guys (2022) • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) • Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023) • Trolls Band Together (2023) • Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) • The Wild Robot (2024) | |
| Upcoming | Dog Man (2025) • The Bad Guys 2 (2025) • Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie (2025) • Shrek 5 (2026) | |
| Illumination | Despicable Me (2010) • Hop (2011) • The Lorax (2012) • Despicable Me 2 (2013) • Minions (2015) • The Secret Life of Pets (2016) • Sing (2016) • Despicable Me 3 (2017) • The Grinch (2018) • The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) • Sing 2 (2021) • Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) • The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) • Migration (2023) • Despicable Me 4 (2024) | |
| Upcoming | Untitled The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel (2026) • Minions 3 (2027) | |
| Focus Features | Coraline (2009) • 9 (2009) • ParaNorman (2012) • The Boxtrolls (2014) • Ratchet & Clank (2016) • Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) • Piece by Piece (2024) | |
| Co-productions | Pinocchio in Outer Space (1965) • An American Tail (1986) • The Land Before Time (1988) • Jetsons: The Movie (1990) • An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) • We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993) • Balto (1995) • The Abrafaxe – Under The Black Flag (2001) • Momo (2001) • The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008) • The Tale of Despereaux (2008) • Nikté (2009) • Underdogs (2013) • Moshi Monsters: The Movie (2013) • Yellowbird (2014) • Ethel & Ernest (2016) • The Addams Family (2019) • The Addams Family 2 (2021) • Fast & Furious Spy Racers (2023) | |
| Upcoming | Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Part Two (2025) | |
| Franchises | Woody Woodpecker (since 1940) • An American Tail (1986–1999) • The Land Before Time (1988–2016) • Casper (since 1995) • Balto (1995–2005) • Dr. Seuss (2000–2018) • Shrek (since 2001) • Fast & Furious (since 2001) • Madagascar (since 2005) • Curious George (2006–2022) • Kung Fu Panda (since 2008) • How to Train Your Dragon (since 2010) • Despicable Me (since 2010) • The Croods (since 2013) • The LEGO Movie (since 2014) • The Secret Life of Pets (since 2016) • Sing (since 2016) • Trolls (since 2016) • The Boss Baby (since 2017) • Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (since 2017) • The Addams Family (2019–2021) • The Bad Guys (since 2022) | |
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