July 10, 2025

The Boxtrolls 2 (2025) – Official Trailer Review

After more than a decade underground, the quirky world of stop-motion returns with The Boxtrolls 2, and the official trailer is a whimsical, weird, and wonderfully crafted invitation back into the cobbled streets of Cheesebridge. Laika Studios once again delivers their signature blend of dark humor, handcrafted magic, and heartfelt storytelling.

Set years after the events of the original film, Boxtrolls 2 finds Eggs — now a teenager (voiced by Roman Griffin Davis) — grappling with his identity as both a human and honorary Boxtroll. But peace is shattered when a mysterious inventor named Madam Crankshaft (voiced by Tilda Swinton) arrives in town with a “mechanical cleansing” plan to modernize Cheesebridge — which puts the Boxtrolls at risk of extinction once again.

The trailer is packed with delightful oddities: cheese-fueled chase scenes, steampunk gadgets gone haywire, and the return of fan favorites like Fish, Shoe, and even a slightly reformed Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley), now hosting a conspiracy podcast. Visually, it’s a feast of textures — grimy gears, stitched costumes, glowing lanterns — all captured with Laika’s unmistakable handmade charm.

Emotionally, the story leans deeper into themes of belonging and growing up. Eggs must choose between protecting the world that raised him and embracing his role as a bridge between two very different communities. There’s also a touching subplot with Winnie (voiced by Elle Fanning), now a rebellious journalist determined to expose the truth.

If the trailer is any indication, Boxtrolls 2 looks like a rich and rewarding sequel — a blend of slapstick fun, subversive wit, and stop-motion artistry that reminds us why Laika continues to stand out in the world of animation. It’s weird. It’s boxy. And it’s exactly what fans have been waiting for.