'Paddington 2' emerges as a cult classic with a devoted fan base

The beloved film has gained internet fame, strong reviews, and a passionate following years after its release.

With Paddington 2, the charming duffle-coated bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw, became an online sensation. (c) Warner Bros. Pictures

By Novanka Laras and Sarah Oktaviany

When Paddington 2 was released in January 2018, it was met with warm reviews but only modest box office success in the United States. Seven years later, the film has become an internet phenomenon, inspiring memes, think pieces, and even an endorsement from actor Nicolas Cage. For a time, it held the distinction of being the best-reviewed film ever on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film follows Paddington, a kind-hearted, marmalade-loving bear, as he embarks on a mission to find the perfect birthday present for his beloved Aunt Lucy. This heartwarming adventure has since captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, turning the film into an unlikely cultural landmark.

David Heyman, the producer of Paddington 2 and its 2015 predecessor, Paddington, believes its appeal lies in its universal message. “A very eclectic group of people respond to it in the way that they do,” Heyman said in a recent conversation from his home in London. He noted that acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro even admitted to being a fan.

Now, with Paddington in Peru—the third film in the franchise—crossing the $100 million milestone at the international box office, it is remarkable to reflect on the slow-burning success of Paddington 2.

A film with heart and humor

Heyman attributes the film’s longevity to its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages. “There’s humor in it for adults; there’s humor for children,” he said. “It never feels patronizing or like it’s talking down to its audience. It has a big, beating heart.”

All three films in the Paddington franchise are based on the beloved children’s books by British author Michael Bond. The first film follows Paddington’s journey from Peru to London, inspired by World War II’s Kindertransport, which rescued nearly 10,000 children from Nazi-occupied Europe. Paddington 2, directed by Paul King, takes a more adventurous approach, following the bear through a court trial, a prison escape, and a high-speed train pursuit.

The sequel brought back beloved cast members, including Ben Whishaw as the gentle-voiced Paddington, Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Brown, and Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown. It also introduced Hugh Grant as the eccentric villain Phoenix Buchanan, a role that became one of the actor’s most celebrated performances.

“Hugh knows a good part,” Heyman said, laughing.

Director Paul King grew more confident between the first and second films, Heyman noted, particularly when it came to working with CGI. Paddington was represented on set by a bear head on a stick, requiring actors to use their imagination during filming.

“There was a lot more time to focus on the script and on working with the actors,” Heyman said. “It was really fun. The spirit of the film was reflected on set.”

One of the most memorable scenes is a musical sequence set inside a prison. As the end credits roll, Hugh Grant’s character leads 300 fellow inmates in a Busby Berkeley-style tap dance number set to “Rain on the Roof” from Stephen Sondheim’s Follies.

“Hugh was all in,” said choreographer Craig Revel Horwood, who created the elaborate sequence.

From box office struggles to streaming success

Despite its charm, Paddington 2 initially struggled at the U.S. box office. While it was a hit in Britain, where it became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2017, it only earned $15 million domestically during its opening weekend.

One factor was the financial troubles of The Weinstein Company, which initially held the film’s North American distribution rights. The company, embroiled in the fallout of sexual assault allegations against co-founder Harvey Weinstein, was in financial crisis and sold the film’s distribution rights to Warner Bros. just two months before its release.

“So Warners had one hand tied behind their back in terms of marketing,” Heyman explained.

Although strong reviews and word-of-mouth eventually helped, Paddington 2 never achieved the same box office success in the United States as it did in the UK. However, the film found a second life when it was released on Amazon Prime Video in 2018. It became even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, as families and film lovers rediscovered its warmth and humor.

A growing online legacy

The internet has played a major role in Paddington 2’s enduring popularity. Jason Chou, a Los Angeles-based visual effects artist, has helped keep the film’s cultural presence alive by creating viral images featuring Paddington in unexpected places.

For nearly four years, Chou has shared photoshopped images of Paddington on his X account, @jaythechou, to the delight of his 328,000 followers. His edits place the bear in everything from Interstellar to Ted Lasso to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“The film shows what can be if people have more empathy towards one another,” Chou said.

As Paddington in Peru continues the franchise’s success, the love for Paddington 2 only seems to grow. What began as a simple family film has now become a beloved classic, proving that a small bear with a big heart can leave a lasting impact.