Paddington in Peru (2025)

A solid threequel dedicated to providing a heartful adventure story, Paddington in Peru’s family-friendly yet predictable narrative makes it less refined than its predecessors, but a charming escapade for the marmalade-loving bear nevertheless.

Set after the events of the 2nd installment, Paddington in Peru follows Paddington and the Browns as they journey to Peru to search for his beloved Aunt Lucy. Naturally, hijinks ensue. 

Moreso than any family film released in the 2020s, Paddington in Peru has a bountiful ensemble: rising names like Olivia Colman and seasoned legends such as Antonio Banderas star in this franchise flick. A lack of Sally Hawkins hurts, but it’s easier to adjust due to Ms. Brown’s limited role this time around. Ben Whishaw is back as Paddington Brown, once again capturing the polite charm of a naive British bear who believes manners are of the utmost importance in society. 

One of Paddington in Peru’s flaws is how paint-by-numbers it feels. Released seven years after the previous installment and with the departure of beloved director Paul King, Mark Burton’s screenplay (along with 2 other writers) feels more up-front in its intentions, treating the source material as less of an opportunity to present a message and more of an effortful franchise ploy to entertain kids. Continuity is plentiful, as events from the first two films are referenced as the universe continues to expand with a change in setting from London to the jungle. Because of this, the scale and scope of Paddington in Peru make it seem more like a typical family movie than the previous installments, lacking uniqueness but still managing to have an effective message and plenty of smart gags to keep kids entertained.

Overall, Paddington in Peru is of less quality than past installments in the Paddington universe, yet still gives a lovable adventure story with enough heart and character to enchant audiences. 

My Rating: 6.5/10 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

Where to Watch: VoD/In Theaters