The Secret Life of Pets 2 was released on June 7, 2019, with a production budget of approximately$80 million. The film was produced by Illumination Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, following the massive success of its predecessor.
The sequel performed well at the box office, generating$430 million worldwide $158 million domestic and$272 million international), though not reaching the heights of the first film’s$875 million global take. Despite the lower numbers, it still proved to be a profitable venture for Universal and Illumination, considering its moderate budget.
The film benefited from strong marketing campaigns and merchandising opportunities, which helped boost its overall financial success. The voice talent, including Patton Oswalt (replacing Louis C.K. as Max), Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, and Harrison Ford (making his animated film debut), added significant star power to the project.
From a critical perspective, the film received mixed reviews, with critics praising its animation quality and humor while noting its more episodic structure compared to the original. It maintained a strong appeal with its target family audience, earning particularly high marks from younger viewers and parents.
The movie’s success helped solidify The Secret Life of Pets as a valuable franchise for Illumination Entertainment, joining their other successful properties like Despicable Me and Minions. The film’s performance also demonstrated the continued viability of family-friendly animated features in the theatrical market, even in an increasingly competitive landscape.
