The Nut Job 2 has a new release date: May 19, 2017. Open Road Films had originally slated the sequel for January 15, 2016.
The first Nut Job, released in January, 2014, was lambasted by film critics for its clunky characterizations and retrograde storytelling, but kiddie animation often turns out to be critic-proof. The Nut Job went on to gross $121 million globally, and tacked on an additional $22 million in U.S. home video sales. That’s pretty good for a film that cost around $43 million to make.
In the sequel, Surly Squirrel (Will Arnett) and his animal buddies team up against an evil mayor who wants to bulldoze their park and construct an amusement park in its place.