If you want to experience the phenomenon for yourself, do not simply stream Grown Ups 2 on Netflix or Amazon Prime. You need the Spanish-language audio track.
For fans of the original, this was a dream come true. More of the same: quips, pool parties, and the comforting familiarity of the Sandler crew. The anticipation for Son Como Niños 2 was palpable across Latin America, where the first film had become a cable television staple. Son Como Ninos 2
Remember when you were a kid, and the biggest decision you had to make was whether to play tag or hide-and-seek? Fast forward thirty years, and that decision has been replaced by mortgage rates, carpool schedules, and existential dread. If you want to experience the phenomenon for
Unlike the first film, which was spread out over a week at a lake house, utilizes a "day in the life" structure. This condensed timeline ramps up the comedic pacing. Lenny Feder is now a successful Hollywood agent, but he has relocated to Stanton to give his children a "normal" upbringing—complete with old TVs and a lack of fancy gadgets, much to his children's dismay. More of the same: quips, pool parties, and
But here is where the Son Como Niños 2 story takes a sharp turn. While North American critics sharpened their knives, audiences—particularly international audiences—showed up. The film grossed $247 million worldwide. A staggering 57% of that gross came from outside the United States. The largest single international territory? Mexico, followed by Brazil and Argentina.
Then came July 12, 2013. Grown Ups 2 was released in the United States. The critical response was historically brutal. It currently holds a 7% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "crass, lazy, and largely joke-free." Many critics labeled it one of the worst films of the decade.