Ben Whishaw
Paddington Brown (voice)
Paddington in Peru
“A little bear goes a long way.”
2024
1h 46m
Director: Dougal Wilson
Overview
Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readA Bear’s Faith in Difficult Things
I went into Paddington in Peru expecting comfort and came out thinking about obedience, grief, and the odd dignity of being polite in the face of chaos. That may sound like overreading a family film with a marmalade fetish, but this series has always smuggled serious feeling inside cheerful manners. latestnetflix.com's read is that Dougal Wilson’s first feature doesn’t abandon that trick; it just sends it on a long trip south, where the plush order of Windsor gives way to mud, water, fog, and the kind of uncertainty that no one can tidy away with a note on the fridge.
What interested me most is that Wilson, best known for immaculate commercials and music videos, doesn’t come in trying to outdo Paul King’s two earlier Paddington films in wit or visual invention. That would be a fool’s errand anyway. Instead, he leans into a gentler problem: how do you keep a character who embodies civility, appetite, and emotional openness from becoming merely decorative once the series leaves London behind?
The answer, at least for much of the film, is to make the landscape itself behave like an argument. Peru isn’t just scenery; it’s a test. Rivers interrupt plans.
Mountains make people small. Even the movie’s comic rhythms feel less buttoned-up, as if the air itself has loosened the screws.
That shift gives the film a different temperature from the earlier entries. Wilson’s background in polished, highly controlled short-form work shows in the way he handles transitions and visual gags, but he’s also more interested here in weather, distance, and waiting. The Paddington films have always been about hospitality — who gets let in, who makes room, who learns to share the table — and this one widens the frame to ask what happens when home is no longer a room but a memory.
I’m not sure every emotional beat lands cleanly, especially once the story starts stacking up revelations and peril. Still, the movie keeps circling back to an old, sturdy idea: affection is not the opposite of adventure. It’s what lets adventure mean anything.
There’s a scene early on, once the family has arrived in Peru, that captures the film’s method better than any exposition could. A small administrative errand — one of those mildly comic, “we only need to sign this form” moments — gets swallowed by local bustle, and the camera doesn’t cut around the confusion so much as drift through it. People overlap.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.0/10
"A charming but uneven return to form for Paddington, with familiar warmth but fewer surprises."
Viewers appreciate the return of Ben Whishaw’s voice and the film’s heartwarming tone, which stays true to the beloved character’s spirit. However, some feel the story lacks the freshness of earlier entries, relying too much on nostalgia and predictable adventure beats. The Peruvian setting adds visual appeal, latestnetflix.com maintains, but the plot’s simplicity leaves little lasting impact.
What viewers praise
- Whishaw’s endearing performance Ben Whishaw’s voice work as Paddington continues to charm, capturing the character’s kindness and optimism.
- Warm and nostalgic tone The film retains the gentle, feel-good atmosphere that fans of the series love, making it a comforting watch.
- Colorful Peruvian setting The vibrant landscapes and cultural details of Peru provide a visually engaging backdrop for the adventure.
Common complaints
- Predictable storyline The plot follows familiar beats, offering little in the way of new or unexpected twists for long-time fans.
- Thin supporting characters While the main cast is solid, some supporting roles feel underdeveloped, adding little depth to the story.
- Lacks freshness The film leans heavily on nostalgia, which may leave some viewers wishing for more innovation in the storytelling.
Recommended for
Paddington fans Family movie lovers Nostalgic adventure seekers Ben Whishaw enthusiasts
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsPaddington in Peru: Behind the Scenes of the Beloved Bear’s Latest Adventure
The world’s favorite marmalade-loving bear is back, and this time, he’s trading London’s fog for Peru’s lush landscapes. Paddington in Peru (2024), the third installment in the Paddington film series, reunites fans with the Brown family and introduces new faces—along with a few surprises. Directed by Dougal Wilson, the film marks a fresh chapter for the franchise, blending heartwarming humor with high-stakes adventure. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know about the making of this highly anticipated sequel.
A Director’s Leap from Ads to Feature Films
Dougal Wilson, the director behind Paddington in Peru, is no stranger to visual storytelling—but this film marks his feature-length debut. Wilson’s background is rooted in commercials and music videos, including the Grammy-nominated Coldplay video "Life in Technicolor II" and several beloved John Lewis Christmas ads 
. His transition to a full-length Paddington film raised eyebrows among fans, but early reviews suggest his whimsical, detail-oriented style translates well to the big screen.
Wilson’s experience in crafting visually rich, emotionally resonant short-form content may explain the film’s reported emphasis on vibrant cinematography and playful set pieces. While some critics initially questioned whether his commercial sensibilities would suit a feature, the snippets of praise emerging from early screenings hint at a seamless blend of charm and spectacle .
The Brown Family’s Peruvian Homecoming
The plot of Paddington in Peru sees the Brown family accompanying Paddington on a trip to his homeland, where he reunites with his beloved Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears 
. The premise promises a mix of nostalgia and new challenges, with the Browns navigating the unfamiliar terrain of Peru alongside Paddington’s signature optimism.
The return to Peru—where the first Paddington film (2014) introduced audiences to the bear’s origins—adds a layer of emotional depth to the story. Sources suggest the film explores themes of family, belonging, and the idea of home, all while delivering the franchise’s signature blend of slapstick humor and heartfelt moments .
A Star-Studded Cast Returns (With New Faces)
Ben Whishaw reprises his role as the voice of Paddington, bringing the bear’s trademark politeness and warmth to life once again. The core Brown family—Hugh Bonneville as Henry, Emily Mortimer as Mary, and the young actors Samuel Joslin and Madeleine Harris as Judy and Jonathan—all return, ensuring continuity with the previous films .
But Paddington in Peru also introduces new characters, including Antonio Banderas, who reportedly plays a charismatic but mysterious figure tied to the film’s central adventure. Olivia Colman, Julie Walters, and Imelda Staunton—all veterans of the franchise—also return in undisclosed roles, adding to the film’s star power . Rumors suggest Colman and Walters may reprise their roles as the Browns’ neighbors, Mrs. Bird and Mrs. Bird’s sister, though details remain unconfirmed.
Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Delays
While Paddington in Peru was initially slated for a 2024 release, some sources indicate the film’s production faced minor delays, pushing its premiere into early 2025 in certain regions . The reasons for the shift remain unclear, but industry insiders speculate that the film’s ambitious Peruvian setting—requiring extensive location work and CGI—may have contributed to the adjusted timeline.
Wilson’s direction also reportedly involved a meticulous approach to blending live-action and animation, a hallmark of the Paddington series. The film’s visual effects team, known for their work on Paddington 2 (2017), likely faced the challenge of seamlessly integrating Paddington into real-world Peruvian landscapes, from bustling markets to remote jungles .
What Fans Can Expect
Early reviews describe Paddington in Peru as a return to form for the franchise, balancing the whimsy of the original films with fresh stakes and humor . The film’s Peruvian setting offers a rich backdrop for Paddington’s adventures, with the Browns navigating cultural differences and unexpected obstacles alongside their furry friend.
Antonio Banderas’ involvement has generated particular buzz, with some sources hinting at a villainous or morally ambiguous role—a departure from the franchise’s typically lighthearted antagonists . Meanwhile, the return of Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) is expected to deliver an emotional core to the story, tying into Paddington’s journey of self-discovery .
The Future of the Franchise
With Paddington in Peru poised to reignite interest in the series, speculation about a fourth film is already circulating. The franchise’s ability to blend humor, heart, and adventure has made it a rare modern success in family cinema, and early reactions suggest this installment could continue that tradition .
For now, fans can look forward to Paddington’s latest misadventures, complete with marmalade sandwiches, unlikely friendships, and a few well-timed slips on banana peels. If Wilson’s directorial debut is any indication, the film may just prove that the magic of Paddington is as enduring as ever.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.