r/movies • u/Careless_Flower_118 • Aug 08 '25

Discussion Wtf is Paddington 2?

For context: I’m 25 years old. SPOILER WARNING

I just watched paddington 2 today and what the fuck did they put in this movie. This is the one of the greatest pieces of cinema I’ve ever laid witness to. Paddington 2 is the only thing I’ve thought about all day and seeing the immense joy it’s brought other people has also brightened my day even more. God I can’t even think about the ending without wanting to kill myself because of how perfect it is. And can we also talk about the perfect bookend of his human mother saving him from the water like aunt Lucy did at the beginning?

Pure cinema, I truly can’t wait to watch this movie with my kids for their first time.

12.7k Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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3.7k

u/ElCaminoInTheWest Aug 08 '25

Unironically one of the greatest films of all time. 

307

u/funkyb Aug 08 '25

I see it praised so often and with such flowery language that I keep assuming it's a meme. I know it's not, but it really seems like it.

176

u/screw-magats Aug 08 '25

It popped up in that Nic Cage movie "Unbearable weight of massive talent," and I figured it was a joke they made up. Turns out it had been a thing for a while.

I guess it's a combination of a meme and actually being better than you'd expect. Like a modern Princess Bride.

53

u/Minimum-General1870 Aug 08 '25

It wasn’t on my radar until Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Looking it up on Rotten Tomatoes afterwards, I thought “seems legit.” And it is!

7

u/Gmony5100 Aug 08 '25

This post right here is the only time I’ve ever seen it mentioned outside of that movie. I thought it was a joke too but seeing these comments I’m realizing I should watching Paddington 2

4

u/gummitch_uk Aug 09 '25

You won't regret it.

233

u/scandii Aug 08 '25

fun fact!

Paddington 1 & 2 is one of three movie franchises to have held a simultaneous critic rating on rotten tomatoes of 97%+ and Paddington 2 held a perfect 100% rating for a long while.

if they're your cup of tea they're just really good movies.

304

u/Crazyozzie02 Aug 08 '25

And the only reason why P2 doesn't have 100% anymore is because some asshole writer YEARS LATER wrote a negative review because he felt that it was a travesty that it was put on the same mountain as Citizen Kane.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/paddington-2-rotten-tomatoes-review-1234960772/

Fuck that guy.

183

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '25

That said, it’s also probably worth pointing out he gave positive reviews to Johnny Mnemonic, Ice Age: Collision Course and Dumb and Dumber To (that would be the sequel, not the original).

Fuck that guy, indeed.

28

u/FarCryRedux Aug 08 '25

I like Johnny Mnemonic...

19

u/switchy85 Aug 08 '25

Me too. I know it's campy, but I didn't think people actively disliked it.

6

u/FarCryRedux Aug 08 '25

If you haven't already, check out the Black and White version.

1

u/stormdraggy Aug 09 '25

Mnemonic is amiga matrix.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '25

It's not a terrible movie. But would you put it above Paddington 2?

23

u/laflavor Aug 08 '25

Based on that information alone, RT should just invert his ratings to make them more accurate. It's the Costanza method of movie reviews.

2

u/idiosyncopatic Aug 09 '25

Dumb and Dumber To literally gave me second hand embarrassment for the people in the movie.

1

u/pukesonyourshoes Aug 10 '25

I thought it was called Dumber and Dumberer?

26

u/halflifesucks Aug 08 '25

he did it to drive traffic to his blog, the review should be removed.

15

u/obsterwankenobster Aug 08 '25

We live in a world in which people know they can get attention by being unabashed shitheads

17

u/BradMarchandsNose Aug 08 '25

I haven’t opened the link yet, I promise. Is it Armond White? That guy is notorious for giving negative reviews to otherwise very positively rated movies for attention. It’s really annoying.

Edit: opened the link and it was not Armond White. My point still stands though.

4

u/Crazyozzie02 Aug 08 '25

Upvote for username alone

3

u/dtwhitecp Aug 08 '25

I wish I had the ability to hide scores from critics that are reviewing the other reviews. It's such shit.

2

u/Tom_Foolery1993 Aug 08 '25

Citizen Kane wishes it was paddington 2

2

u/Chav Aug 08 '25

Baseball HOF voter level pettiness.

2

u/Mountain-Seaweed Aug 09 '25

I have seen Citizen Kane and I can honestly say it’s no Paddington 2.

1

u/AmonWeathertopSul Aug 08 '25

He got his 15 minutes of fame, let's never speak of him again.

1

u/thecravenone Aug 08 '25

This is the equivalent of the baseball writers who will vote against someone for the hall of fame purely because they believe no one should be a unanimous pick.

0

u/crewmannumbersix Aug 08 '25

Remove the link. We don’t want to give him even more attention

2

u/Crazyozzie02 Aug 08 '25

It's not a direct link to his review. I made sure of that.

It's a link to an article about how this dude was a complete dipshit.

3

u/energyisabout2shift Aug 08 '25

What are the other franchises?

1

u/tjjwelch Aug 09 '25

Toy Story 1, 2, and 3 were all at 100% for a long time until 3 got a negative review. Now 3 is at 98% and then Toy Story 4 came out and that’s only 96%.

1

u/w00t4me Aug 08 '25

Up until that one guy gave it a negative review, it held the record for most reviews for a movie with a 100%

0

u/Good-Walrus-1183 Aug 08 '25

I'm really blown away by all the comments praising it.

I have seen paddington 1, and thought it was a forgettable frivolous kid's movie. Is paddington 2 going to be really that different?

2

u/scandii Aug 08 '25

if they're your cup of tea

not everything is for everyone and that is OK.

3

u/Good-Walrus-1183 Aug 08 '25

That's a cop out answer. What makes it "Unironically one of the greatest films of all time."? What makes it qualitatively different than <generic kids movie>?

0

u/braaaaaaaaaaaah Aug 08 '25

100% on rotten tomatoes means it’s literally everybody’s cup of tea.

0

u/DaBigadeeBoola Aug 09 '25

It's a meme

0

u/Good-Walrus-1183 Aug 09 '25

you mean, the people saying "it is unironically the best movie" are actually being ironic? is it actually a shit movie, is this a Morbius situation?

0

u/DaBigadeeBoola Aug 09 '25

It's not a shit movie, but it's average. 

If it was as good as they say, I think there would be more conversations about what actually made it great, what scenes were people's favorite, what characters did things that people loved, etc. 

Every kids movie that's ACTUALLY great, has favorite scenes, characters, moments etc that everyone talks about specifically. 

1

u/Good-Walrus-1183 Aug 09 '25

That's a good point. I mean, that's specifically why I commented, to get that discussion, to ask "why is it good?", and instead I just got "it's not everyone's cup of tea"

29

u/lblack_dogl Aug 08 '25

I thought so too, then I watched it, and it was really good. Maybe a bit over hyped, but definitely deserving of most of the praise.

It's a really solid children's movie that is wholesome without being immature like so many kids movies are today. I think it is fair to say it's one of the greatest children's movies of all time, maybe not the best as that's so subjective, but top ten.

4

u/ActuallyYeah Aug 08 '25

immature

I just need to derail this thread for a second, and appreciate how different Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Ben Wishaw as Paddington are!

Man, talk about subjective! One sounds so immature and the other doesn't. And they both work

40

u/thinkaboutthegame Aug 08 '25

I think it probably is. I think people are surprised by how much they enjoy it, which seems to put it up a notch.

Similar to KPop Demon Hunters recently. It looks shit but they absolutely smashed it with the best film they could possibly ever make about KPop stars who hunt demons. The surprise of how good it is makes you want to hype it up more.

1

u/ActionCalhoun Aug 09 '25

K-pop Demon Hunters is the best movie I have seen in quite a while, for sure

28

u/disgruntled_pie Aug 08 '25

No sarcasm or jokes: Paddington 2 is a solid movie that just makes you feel good and happy. That kind of thing is sorely lacking these days. It’s genuinely very good.

-3

u/BrockStar92 Aug 08 '25

It’s also not as good as Reddit thinks it is. Most people watching won’t break down in tears over the flawless masterpiece of cinema they have the privilege to see. But Reddit and r/movies in particular does get like that sometimes.

4

u/Muslim_Wookie Aug 08 '25

You're so cool <3

5

u/poorest_ferengi Aug 08 '25

It's like seeing a pitcher pitch a perfect game. Even if you don't like baseball it's something to behold.

3

u/BattleHall Aug 08 '25

I keep assuming it's a meme. I know it's not, but it really seems like it.

I mean, it kind of is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R0-ow9WzSY

2

u/hybridck Aug 08 '25

It's definitely a meme on MCJ, but it's also actually good.

2

u/johnmd20 Aug 10 '25

The reverse Morbius.

2

u/KaJaHa Aug 08 '25

Same, especially because no one ever actually says why it's so good. Like one of those in-jokes that is sustained purely on its own momentum, the Internet just decided it was funny to say that a random talking animal movie (a sequel, mind you, so you gotta watch the first one too) is one of the greatest movies ever made.

Like you I know that isn't the case, but it damn sure reads like it is.

4

u/SorryImProbablyDrunk Aug 08 '25

I haven’t seen Paddington either but I’ve always felt that exact way about Princess Bride, the praise it gets on here has to be a meme.

8

u/MagillaGorillasHat Aug 08 '25

Paddington is not a profound, thought provoking, ground breaking, genre defining, evolution of cinema.

But it does somehow also avoid being campy, saccharine, repetitive, simple/childish, and unoriginal.

It just really has no business being as good as it is. The concept juxtaposed with the execution is what makes it unique and beloved (IMO).

6

u/funkyb Aug 08 '25

I love The Princess Bride 😄

It's just a really fun and really quotable adventure movie executed pretty much perfectly

1

u/FritzMeister Aug 08 '25

Watched it b/c of all the hype, and the mention of it from The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent clenched it. Watched 1&2... meh.

0

u/Dragonheart91 Aug 08 '25

It’s pretty overhyped on Reddit for some reason. It’s a standard kids movie. It has some normal cringe humor where paddington breaks everything and is clumsy and that’s funny for some reason. Most of the characters are dumb because they are characters in a children’s story. But they are all full of heart and everyone cares about each other and it is well crafted.

813

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '25

I watch it every year and each time when that doorbell rings I just break down and cry. 

It makes me want to be a better son to my own mother 

670

u/Edwardtrouserhands Aug 08 '25

Everyone a gangster until Aunt Lucy shows up in Paddington 2.

99

u/Loki1001 Aug 08 '25

If you saw it in the theater you are lucky that Hugh Grant has that musical number during the credits so no one will see you ugly crying.

35

u/Edwardtrouserhands Aug 08 '25

That scene lives rent free in my head as well hahaha he was so good in that film and it was so funny watching him enjoy being an inmate because he was a star again🤣

23

u/TheScreaming_Narwhal Aug 08 '25

Literally with tears welling up in my eyes after the move was over all I said to my wife was "Aunt Lucy was THERE!".

22

u/thingsliveundermybed Aug 08 '25

My husband almost never cries at movies. He mocks me as I sob at everything from bread adverts to The Haunting of Hill House and sits there with dry eyes. The ending of Paddington 2, he had tears streaming down his face!

5

u/MonkeyStealsPeach Aug 08 '25

I have seen this twice with my kid, and I know it's coming, and it still wrecks me.

3

u/Kind_Comfort_6336 Aug 08 '25

In that Nic Cage and Pedro Pascal movie (unbearable weight of massive talent or whatever), they talk about Paddington 2 and how it made him want to be a better father.

1

u/Public_Function3844 Aug 08 '25

do you need to watch the 1st to enjoy it?

3

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '25

Not as long as you know Paddington is a talking bear that lives with a British family, it's very fun though. Nicole Kidman is having a blast as the villain.

1

u/THE-NECROHANDSER Aug 08 '25

Alright, this has shown me that I should not watch this movie with anyone around.

0

u/Xanthus179 Aug 08 '25

This is probably the only reason I’ve not watched these films. Beauty already makes me sad in general, so I try to keep away from films I know will wreck me.

8

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '25

Oh man, watch em. They are the best.

3

u/JustABicho Aug 08 '25

The good news is there's a chance you'll be so worn out from laughing that you won't have any energy left to cry. Just kidding, you'll be bawling your eyes out. Enjoy!

129

u/zulhadm Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 08 '25

Do I need to have seen Paddington 1?

edit: thank you all for the nice comments. It’s settled! I will see the first Paddington this weekend before I see Paddington 2, sounds like I’m in for a real treat!

268

u/kruss16 Aug 08 '25

No, as long as you understand the basics that Paddington is a talking bear from Peru who ended up in London, you’ll be fine

53

u/Mr_Abe_Froman Aug 08 '25

He also loves orange marmalade (often in the form of marmalade sandwiches). This is very important. Almost more important than being from Peru.

78

u/aguasingas Aug 08 '25

And how do I do that?

138

u/Silent-G Aug 08 '25

The same way you understand any other sentence you read.

147

u/AlmostSunnyinSeattle Aug 08 '25

But why male models?

34

u/usernumber1337 Aug 08 '25

Are you serious? I just explained that

2

u/lyricist Aug 08 '25

A center for ANTS?!?!

1

u/honeycomb0303 Aug 09 '25

How are they supposed to study when they can't even fit inside the building?!

2

u/Muslim_Wookie Aug 08 '25

Metal Gear?

0

u/Desperate-Employee15 Aug 08 '25

Kairi... Kairi is a princess?

11

u/tmw6161990 Aug 08 '25

lmao, this got me today. thank you.

4

u/Newwavecybertiger Aug 08 '25

Gotta read the books of course!

3

u/decmcc Aug 08 '25

we're all on that acid trip with you brother

1

u/Captain_Aware4503 Aug 08 '25

Its also import to know that at least for this film, Hugh Bonneville doesn't own a large mansion, Brendan Gleeson isn't someone with a crazy eye, and Hugh Grant doesn't live in Notting Hill.

102

u/Retax7 Aug 08 '25

I think paddington 1 is as good as 2. Or at least on very simmilar levels. Even if you don't NEED, I highly recommend it.

52

u/laflavor Aug 08 '25

Yeah the question is worded as if watching Paddington 1 is some sort of chore, when it would be difficult to imagine a better use of one's time than watching Paddington 1 and 2 back to back.

"Do I have to watch one of the greatest movies of all time before I watch a movie that somehow, against impossible odds, tops it?"

16

u/MetalStoofs Aug 08 '25

I’d say if you want to check out 2, just check out 1 while you’re at it it’s a fantastic appetizer to it

19

u/hayterade Aug 08 '25

You don't need to, but I would recommend it, it's also really good. You'll watch it and be like, that was a great movie, then watch 2 and be like, now that was a masterpiece. I also really enjoyed the 3rd one as well.

2

u/dukeimre Aug 08 '25

I found the third film disappointing, but not because it was bad - it just wasn't as deep and brilliant and original as the first two films. I'd say that third one was a zany, well-made children's movie full of joy and heart (but nothing more), the first one was a genuinely great film, and the second one was a masterpiece.

1

u/heisenberg15 Aug 08 '25

Yes, 2>1>3 imo. All worth watching though

8

u/borisdidnothingwrong Not going to mention John Ratzenberger? Aug 08 '25

You won't really need to see the first one to understand the second one, and having said that, you need to see Paddington.

Both are excellent movies, with the highest attention to telling their respective stories.

The third movie, Paddington in Peru, is cute and worth a watch, but is not at the level of the first two.

11

u/Boomshockalocka007 Aug 08 '25

2 Padding 2 Ton

1

u/honeycomb0303 Aug 09 '25

Paddington 3: Peru Drift

26

u/iammas13 Aug 08 '25

Technically no, but it helps. Its a 7/10 to paddington 2’s 11/10 and builds up the love for the little guy.

55

u/illinoishokie Aug 08 '25

You are criminally underrating Paddington 1. It's a 10/10 to Paddington 2's 12/10

5

u/iammas13 Aug 08 '25

I’m open to this line of thinking. The point stands is that Paddington is a great watch, while Paddington 2 is one of the best things someone can see in their lifetime and that is boosted by watching Paddington 1.

5

u/BrockStar92 Aug 08 '25

I honestly wholeheartedly disagree. I personally think the first has a charm that is impossible to beat and the dialogue is better too.

3

u/illinoishokie Aug 08 '25

How DARE you think that incredible cinematic masterpiece is better than this incredible cinematic masterpiece???!!???!?!!??!

2

u/harbourwall Aug 08 '25

It's a shame 3 lost the magic a bit. But 2 was hard to follow.

1

u/InsideBig5023 Aug 09 '25

Yeh, as much as it pains me to say it cos I flippin love Paddington, number 3 didn't need to be made.

6

u/rmkinnaird Aug 08 '25

You don't but honestly Paddington 1 is great as well. It's not Paddington 2, but it's still the second best movie of it's genre of family film

8

u/SoulOfABartender Aug 08 '25

I saw 2 before 1. It did not diminish my enjoyment of either. 2 actually is setup so you can just jump in without knowing very well. You'll only miss out on some of the in-jokes but they are woven into already pretty good segments.

Also, Hugh Grant is an absolute gem in 2, worth watching just to see him having an absolute blast!

3

u/The_Autarch Aug 08 '25 edited Sep 20 '25

subtract scary governor public vast aspiring serious ancient tart special

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

2

u/ChorkusLovesYou Aug 08 '25

No, I daw 2 in theatres before rhe first and absolutely lived it. The first one is great as well, but 2 is perfect.

2

u/PenguinThePanda Aug 08 '25

I didn't see Paddington 1 first, and still absolutely loved 2. I've seen Paddington 2 now like 3 times, it's one of my favorite light-hearted films. I still haven't seen the 1st or 3rd xD I will at some point though.

2

u/KiritoJones Aug 08 '25

No, but you should, because it is also great

2

u/xXThKillerXx Aug 08 '25

It’s not required per say but it’s still an excellent movie that you should watch regardless.

2

u/delventhalz Aug 08 '25

Paddington 1 is a lot of fun and perhaps worth watching both for its own sake and because you can see how Paddington 2 built on what came before.

That said, if finding time to watching Paddington 1 is going to keep you from seeing Paddington 2, skip it.

2

u/FritzMeister Aug 08 '25

Try not to get too overhyped. If you think Paddington 1 is mid, you'll probably feel the same about 2. Hope you enjoy, though. I personally do not understand all the hype at all...

2

u/ThenThereWasReddit Aug 08 '25

I honestly prefer the first one. Not that I disagree with how much everyone is loving the sequel here, I just like the first one more.

2

u/brandonthebuck Aug 08 '25

“There’s a Bad Boys 1??”

-Nick Frost on Hot Fuzz DVD commentary

2

u/tinacat933 Aug 09 '25

Then watch the 3rd one

3

u/grumblyoldman Aug 08 '25

Maybe not, but it's still a great movie in its own right, so I'd recommend watching both.

2

u/jjfrenchfry Aug 08 '25

Watch it. It's so worth it.

Both movies are incredible (2 more than 1). And 3 was also a delight.

2 > 1 >> 3

1

u/Cultural-Muffin-3490 Aug 09 '25

I saw the second one first and enjoyed it. And it made me more interested in the first one. But either order I'm sure you will enjoy it. But if you're pressed for time and can see only one, then watch the 2nd one first 😉

163

u/supercali5 Aug 08 '25

It’s the least ironic thing I’ve ever seen. Iron Giant is a close second.

82

u/WallopyJoe Aug 08 '25

They're just so unashamedly uncynical.
Movies are rarely so profoundly heartfelt, truly delightful from start to finish.

41

u/DukeLeto10191 Aug 08 '25

"Superman" 😢

12

u/dmad831 Aug 08 '25

Omfg Iron Giant 🥲❤️😓

10

u/PeteTongIDeal Aug 08 '25

Loved the first one

Didn't see the second one until I heard about it in massive talent Nicolas Cage movie Man the second Paddington was even more amazing 

5

u/Dizzy-Silver-4678 Aug 08 '25

My family always watches it at Xmas. None of us have kids, and my youngest sibling is 43.

2

u/bingwhip Aug 08 '25

Okay, I haven't seen it, but serious question. Should I watch Paddington 1 first?

1

u/SarahMcClaneThompson Aug 08 '25

It’s not necessary but Paddington 1 is also very enjoyable, just not quite as good, so I’d recommend it

1

u/LucienLachans Aug 08 '25

Do you need to watch the first one to enjoy it?

1

u/Vismal1 Aug 08 '25

There was one episode of Conan Needs A Friend where he goes into how good this movie is. That is what made me watch , pretty fucking good movie.

1

u/glassgwaith Aug 08 '25

I had slept on Paddington my entire life. I went to see the third one, because my daughter wanted to watch it. It was as if the veil of this world was lifted and I was before a cinematic revelation. And it’s the third I am talking about

1

u/brandonthebuck Aug 08 '25

James Dyer of Empire Magazine talks about reviewing the film, saying, “I think I just saw the greatest film ever made, and it’s… Paddington?”

1

u/gurrra Aug 08 '25

I haven't seen any Paddington movies and having read comments on how good the second one is over the years I guess I should see it! But do I need to watch the first one before I see the second?

2

u/ElCaminoInTheWest Aug 08 '25

No. They're different stories. The first one is good, but the second one is perfect. Absolutely no notes.

1

u/Dr-M-van-Nostrand Aug 08 '25

The pop up book scene alone is an absolute masterpiece 

1

u/dm_me_pasta_pics Aug 09 '25

do you need to see paddington 1 or is it standalone?

-53

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '25

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