Paddington 2 Gets Release Date

05/26/2017 09:24 pm EDT

American audiences now know when Paddington 2 will come out of hibernation!

2014's Paddington — based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children's stories by Michael Bond — was huge sleeper hit, earning $268 million at the worldwide box office and become the highest grossing independent (non-US studio) family film of all time.

However, since more than 70% of that came from overseas, the foreign box office will get to see its sequel a month or two before American audiences. Paddington 2 will come stateside on January 12, 2018.

Now that Paddington 2 will open during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, it'll go up against Lionsgate's The Commuter and Studio 8's White Boy Rick.

The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of thecommunity, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…

Hugh Grant plays Windsor Gardens' local celebrity, PHOENIX BUCHANAN, a vain, charming acting legend whose star has fallen somewhat in recent years. Grant is a Golden Globe and BAFTA winner, best known for his memorable performances in films like LOVE ACTUALLY and ABOUT A BOY, and was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed Stephen Frears' comedy drama FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS opposite Meryl Streep.

Brendan Gleeson plays "KNUCKLES" MCGINTY, a notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington. Gleeson received an Emmy award for his portrayal of 'Winston Churchill' in HBO's 'INTO THE STORM', and a Golden Globe nomination for IN BRUGES. Other recent credits include the HARRY POTTER series, EDGE OF TOMORROW and CALVARY. Upcoming features include Ben Affleck's LIVE BY NIGHT, ASSASSIN'S CREED, ALONE IN BERLIN opposite Diane Keaton and TRESPASS AGAINST US opposite Michael Fassbender.

For international audiences, Paddington 2 will open in the UK on November 10, in France on December 6, in Germany on December 7, and, lastly, in Australia and New Zealand on December 26.

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