Paddington in Peru had an uphill climb from the start. Making a third Paddington movie without director Paul King—who turned the first two into modern family classics—already felt risky, and replacing Sally Hawkins with Emily Mortimer as Mary Brown only heightened that sense of change. King’s films struck a rare balance: sharp British wit, slapstick CGI bear hijinks, and an almost radical kindness that landed at a moment when audiences were desperate for warmth. Without him, it’s no surprise this third outing feels different.
Directed by Dougal Wilson, Paddington in Peru brings back Ben Whishaw as the endlessly endearing voice of Paddington and Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown. This time, the story shifts away from London’s cozy charm and heads to South America, where Paddington travels to visit his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) after hearing from Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) that she needs help at the Home for Retired Bears. The new setting gives Wilson room to put his own stamp on the franchise, trading in tea-time comforts for a more rambunctious, globe-trotting adventure.
That shift is both the film’s strength and its weakness. On one hand, it’s fun to see Paddington in new environments, unraveling mysteries and stumbling into chaos far from home. On the other, the sense of coziness and gentle humor that defined Paddington and Paddington 2 is missing, replaced by louder, busier set pieces. It’s still charming in stretches—few characters radiate joy like Paddington—but it doesn’t linger in the same way.
Even with diminishing returns, Paddington in Peru is still more heartfelt and enjoyable than many of the live-action CGI-heavy studio films released today. The ending sticks the landing, sending audiences out with that trademark Paddington warmth, though the road to get there is bumpier than before.
READ MORE MOVIE REVIEWS: Highest 2 Lowest, 28 Years Later, Superman
Ultimately, this installment is good but not great—a serviceable continuation that lacks the magic touch Paul King (who made a better spiritual successor with Wonka) brought to the first two films. Where Paddington 2 felt like an instant classic, Paddington in Peru feels more like a pleasant detour: sweet enough to savor in the moment, but less likely to stay with you afterward.
Score: 6/10
Paddington in Peru (2025)
- Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris, Antonio Banderas, Carla Tous, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton
- Director: Dougal Wilson
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
- Runtime: 106 minutes
- Rated: PG
- Release Date: February 14, 2025
- Movies Like Paddington in Peru: Despicable Me 4, A Minecraft Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, More Movies Like Paddington in Peru
