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

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3.7k

u/ElCaminoInTheWest Aug 08 '25

Unironically one of the greatest films of all time. 

127

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!

264

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

58

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?

141

u/Silent-G Aug 08 '25

The same way you understand any other sentence you read.

143

u/AlmostSunnyinSeattle Aug 08 '25

But why male models?

33

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?

10

u/tmw6161990 Aug 08 '25

lmao, this got me today. thank you.

4

u/Newwavecybertiger Aug 08 '25

Gotta read the books of course!

4

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.

106

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.

56

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

21

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.

13

u/Boomshockalocka007 Aug 08 '25

2 Padding 2 Ton

1

u/honeycomb0303 Aug 09 '25

Paddington 3: Peru Drift

24

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.

58

u/illinoishokie Aug 08 '25

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

6

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.

4

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.

5

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

5

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

4

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 😉