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Vacation Friends 2

Vacation Friends 2

Time for another round.

2023106 minRMidcredits score: 18th percentile of all films
Director
Clay Tarver
Starring
Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena, Meredith Hagner

Newly married Marcus and Emily invite Ron and Kyla, who are also newly married with a baby, to join them at a Caribbean resort, where Marcus is meeting with the owners about a construction contract for a Chicago hotel. But when the party begins the couples' relaxing vacation quickly becomes a wild adventure.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Vacation Friends 2?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Vacation Friends 2 streaming on Hulu and Tubi (free).

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Vacation Friends 2?

Vacation Friends 2 earns 4 badges, led by Overhyped and Fun.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Content

Reception

Is Vacation Friends 2 worth watching?

Vacation Friends 2's Midcredits score is the 18th percentile of all films, from 31K ratings across 6 sources. 25% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

18th percentile

Better received than 18% of films

30th percentile among Action19th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)25th
Approval (how many liked it)15th

54 /100

25th percentile of all films

39th percentile among Action28th percentile among 2020s

Critics 38 · Audience 55

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

25% liked it

15th percentile of all films

26th percentile among Action17th percentile among 2020s
25% rated it 7–1075% rated it 1–6

Critics 24% · Audience 38%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Reach

How many have seen it

85th percentile

31K ratings across platforms

75th percentile among Action86th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 3% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a broad, formulaic comedy sequel that relies on the same crude humor and character dynamics as the original but with diminishing returns.

Fans praised

  • good cast chemistry among returning four leads
  • some raunchy humor lands for viewers in the right mood
  • Steve Buscemi adds a fun new dynamic

Detractors panned

  • jokes overwhelmingly fall flat or feel cheap
  • script is lazy, predictable, and recycles the first film's gags
  • leads' shtick becomes grating, especially Cena and Hagner

What stands out

ActingDivisive48

returning cast has chemistry but performances feel tired; Buscemi's addition praised by some, panned by others

CharactersDivisive35

characters become unlikable, grating, and one-note; writers force situations

Plot and storyDivisive30

predictable, convoluted, cliched father-in-law and drug-cartel subplot

DialogueDivisive25

over-reliance on yelling, profanity, and loud antics instead of wit

HumorDivisive22

very few genuine laughs; comedy relies on infantile, in-your-face gags

OriginalityDivisive20

rehashes same gags and formula as the first film with no new ideas

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 2 points apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Vacation Friends 2 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It never lets up, swings between moods and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdTenseJoyful
Heaviest: throughout
Raunchy humor
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its outlandish situations with a knowing wink, never taking itself seriously, aiming for laughs over logic.
The rideThe film swings between comedic chaos and genuine peril, with the heaviest tension sustained through the chase and survival sequences.
StructureLinear story told in conventional order, with setup in the resort, conflict escalating, and resolution back at the hotel.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA carefree, silly comedy that leaves you grinning and unburdened despite the action.
How it ends · evidence
Happy endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Voyage
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% (this title) · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Survival ordeal: Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).

4% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeAfter a job-driven vacation turns into a drug-lord chase, the group fights to return to safety and salvage Marcus's meeting—a survival ordeal through a hostile tropical underworld.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeMarcus struggles to prove his professional worth to the Kim Wae executives while the group's trust in each other and in Reese is repeatedly tested through dangerous, absurd situations.
StanceThe film presents the friendships and their misadventures without deep moral judgment, simply observing the chaos that ensues when trust is placed in unreliable people.

The world

ContemporaryIn transitStylized realism
PopElectronicSupportive music · hybrid
SettingA luxury Caribbean resort and adjacent waters.
MusicUpbeat pop and electronic tracks accompany the party and chase sequences, keeping the energy high.

Content guide

Is Vacation Friends 2 okay for kids?

R

Vacation Friends 2 is rated R: “Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual references and drug use” (MPAA). As of August 19, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (31/100), sexual content at minimal (4/100), language at severe (92/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (85/100) and frightening material at mild (23/100). Overall it is heavier than 63% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 27 other countries
  • CanadaR
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany12
  • France16
  • Ireland16
  • New ZealandR16
  • JapanR15+
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Argentina+16
  • Austria12
  • Belgium16
  • BGD
  • FinlandK-16
  • Hungary16
  • Israel16
  • LTN-16
  • LU16
  • LV16+
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • SingaporeM18
  • Spain16
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan15+
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 78% of all filmsHeavier than 63% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 12%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 1%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 95%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 95%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 11%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language and drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Vacation Friends 2 have?

MovieCove's classifier found 2 depicted content warnings in Vacation Friends 2: Gun violence (mild), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

MildGun violence

Cast and crew

Who is in Vacation Friends 2?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Lil Rel Howery
as Marcus
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Yvonne Orji
as Emily
John Cena
as Ron
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Meredith Hagner
as Kyla
Steve Buscemi
as Reese Hackford
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Carlos Santos
as Maurillio
Ronny Chieng
as Yeon
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Arnold Y. Kim
as Goe
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jamie Hector
as Warren
Lovensky Jean-Baptiste
as Jerome
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Vacation Friends 2?

Movies like Vacation Friends 2 include Vacation Friends (2021), Mayday (2026) and Six Days Seven Nights (1998). Of the 12 closest matches, several are survival ordeal stories, and half are odd-couple stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its story type: action comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Vacation Friends 2?

2.2K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: action comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.