It got a higher Rotten Tomatoes score mainly because critics found The Angry Birds Movie 2 noticeably more entertaining and better made than the first film. Early reactions described it as a “massive improvement,” and Rotten Tomatoes’ own consensus says it “takes improbable yet delightfully entertaining flight,” which points to stronger jokes, cleaner pacing, and more charm than people expected from a video-game adaptation.

Why the score improved

  • Better reception from critics. Early reviews were much warmer than for the first movie, with Rotten Tomatoes tracking it around the low 80s at one point before settling at 72% on 109 reviews.
  • Stronger comedy and energy. Reviews praised the sequel’s sillier tone and slapstick humor, calling it “riotous” and “exuberantly silly.”
  • Improved sequel factors. The movie leaned into a bigger adventure, more character dynamics, and a more confident style, which likely made it feel less generic than the original.
  • Low baseline for the genre. Because video game movies had such a weak reputation, even a “pretty good” animated sequel stood out more than usual.

Quick take

In short, it didn’t become an awards-level hit; it just performed better than expected , especially compared with the first film, and critics rewarded that upgrade.

The big reason: it was funnier, more polished, and less one-note than the original.

If you want, I can also break down how Rotten Tomatoes scores work or compare the first and second Angry Birds movies side by side.