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This article is rated R, meaning it contains content that may be inappropriate for readers under the age of 17. |
| “ | "Things sure do happen, don't they?" | „ |
| ~ Tagline |
| Helluva Boss | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vivienne Medrano |
| Written by | Vivienne Medrano Brandon Rogers |
| Based on | Helluva Boss by Vivienne Medrano |
| Produced by | Gabe Frost Arry Frost |
| Starring | Brandon Rogers Richard Horvitz Vivian Nixon Erica Lindbeck Bryce Pinkham Liev Schreiber Arturo Castro Alex Brightman Danny McBride |
| Edited by | Nico Colaleo |
| Music by | Jefferson Friedman Christopher Lennertz |
| Production companies | Good Universe New Eden Pictures SpindleHorse Toons |
| Distributed by | A24 Ketchup Entertainment |
| Release dates | March 18, 2025 (SXSW) April 25, 2025 (United States) |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $16 million |
| Box office | $75.5 million |
Helluva Boss (marketed as Helluva Boss: A Helluva Movie) is a 2025 American adult-animated musical action black comedy film directed by Vivienne Medrano in her directiorial debut from a screenplay by her and Brandon Rogers. Based on the series of the same name, which itself is a spin-off of Hazbin Hotel, the film stars Rogers, Richard Horvitz, Vivian Nixon, Erica Lindbeck, Bryce Pinkham, and Alex Brightman, who reprise their roles from the series, along with newcomers Liev Schreiber, Arturo Castro, and Danny McBride, who voice new characters. Taking place between the second and third seasons, the film follows the I.M.P. gang as they are tasked to kill one of the most wanted terrorists in the human world.
Development began in late 2023, when Medrano began developing a script for a feature film based on the series. The project was pitched to A24, whom accepted it. Ketchup Entertainment then acquired co-distribution rights to the film in September 2024.
Helluva Boss was released on April 25, 2025 in the United States by A24 and Ketchup Entertainment. The film received praise for its animation, humor, and voice acting, but received some criticism for its screenplay. It grossed $75.5 million worldwide on a $16 million budget.
Synopsis
"Join Blitzø, Millie, Moxxie, and Loona, the employees of the Immediate Murder Professionals, as they face their biggest challenge yet: assassinate El Dicko, one of the most wanted terrorists in the human world. Friendships will be tested as they venture into the human world, remaining secret from the humans. But the secret can't always last for long... which shouldn't be a problem, as things sure do happen!"
-A24 and Ketchup Entertainment
Plot
In hell, the employees of the Immediate Murder Professionals, Blitzø, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona, receive a number of clients that request the assassination of a long-time terrorist in the human world named El Dicko. Due to his notorious history in the human world, I.M.P. have second-thoughts upon deciding whether they should go. But thanks to Blitzø's encouraging speech, they take no hesitation to accept the clients' request.
Meanwhile, in the human world, El Dicko is considering assassinating Ian Harvey, the President of the United States, during his speech in New York City. At the same time, I.M.P. arrive in New York City. Their arrival catches the attention of the media, which leads to El Dicko learning about their existence. Seeing how they're supernatural creatures, he puts aside his assassination plan on President Harvey to kill I.M.P. While looking for El Dicko, the I.M.P. gang run into Vivienne Medrano and Brandon Rogers, who warn them that El Dicko is not a person to be messed with, telling them stories of those who were unfortunate enough to have been caught in his hands. Blitzø, feeling confident about his plan, ignores their warnings.
El Dicko's right-hand man Hernando finds them and chases them throughout New York City. The gang finally loses him during a traffic jam, but accidentally crashes their van. Meanwhile, Stolas, a friend of Blitzø, becomes bored from waiting for Blitzø and his team to return, so he decides to go to the human world to look for them himself.
TBA.
Voice cast
- Brandon Rogers as Blitzø, the leader and founder of I.M.P. The "ø" in his name is silent, which therefore, makes his name technically pronounced "Blitz".
- Rogers also voices Hugo, a friend of Moxxie's who appears in the latter's flashbacks.
- Rogers also voices a fictionalized version of himself.
- Richard Horvitz as Moxxie, Millie's husband and an employee of I.M.P.
- Horvitz also voices Jack, a victim of El Dicko.
- Vivian Nixon as Millie, Moxxie's wife and an employee of I.M.P.
- Erica Lindbeck as Loona, a hellhound demon and the adoptive daughter of Blitzø who acts as the receptionist of I.M.P.
- Bryce Pinkham as Stolas, a former Goetic Prince of Hell and a friend of Blitzø. Also the husband of Stella.
- Liev Schreiber as Dicker "El Dicko" Francis, a fugitive of the FBI's "Most Wanted" list.
- Arturo Castro as Hernando, El Dicko's right-hand man.
- Alex Brightman as Fizzarolli, a performer and entertainer.
- Danny McBride as Ian Harvey, the President of the United States.
- James Monroe Iglehart as Asmodeus, Fizzarolli's boyfriend and business partner.
- Georgina Leahy as Stella, Stolas' wife.
- Barrett Wilbert Weed as Octavia, the daughter of Stolas and Stella.
- Gabriel Iglesias as Juan, a bar owner.
- Bobby Cannavale as Daryl, a demon in one of Moxxie's flashbacks.
- Roger Craig Smith as Brad, an emo-looking man hired by El Dicko and Hernando to drug the I.M.P. gang.
El Dicko's victims include: "Weird Al" Yankovic as James; Tara Strong as Marcy; Lara Jill Miller as Tracy; Jessica DiCicco; as Ash; Tom Kenny as Neil; Charlyne Yi as Lisa; Anna Akana as Carrie; and Haley Tju as Kelly.
Additionally, Vivienne Medrano appears as a fictionalized version of herself, who, along with Rogers, interacts with the I.M.P. gang when they discuss about El Dicko; Edward Bosco and Michael Kovach voice President Harvey's bodyguards; and Brock Baker voices a VNN news anchor.
Production
Development
In October 2023, Vivienne Medrano began developing a script for a feature film based on Helluva Boss. As one of her projects Hazbin Hotel, which takes place in the same universe as Helluva Boss, was being produced by A24, she pitched the script to the company, who accepted it. In December 2023, Medrano revealed to IndieWire that she and Brandon Rogers were developing an R-rated animated film, with more details set to come in the future. IndieWire also said that it would be based around a past concept. This led to rumors saying that it may be based around the Hazbin Hotel franchise. Later, in January 2024, Medrano revealed that she secured an undisclosed budget with financing company Good Universe.
The film was formally announced on Medrano's X account on March 3, 2024 as a collaboration project between A24, Good Universe, New Eden Pictures, and SpindleHorse Toons, with Medrano set to direct the film as her directorial debut. It was scheduled for release on February 14, 2025, but was pushed back to its revised April 25, 2025 date.
Production on the film wrapped on February 23, 2025.
Casting
On July 2, 2024, it was announced that the main cast of the series would reprise their roles for the film. In August 2024, Liev Schreiber was attached to the project in an undisclosed role. Later, in October 2024, Arturo Castro joined the voice cast. It was also announced that Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Cannavale, and Danny McBride would voice characters in the film.
Animation
SpindleHorse Toons, who worked on the Helluva Boss series, provided the animation for the film. The film was being produced concurrently with the series. The company used the Toon Boom Harmony software to animate the film, as it was smooth and easy to render. There were also instances of CGI animation, mainly on background and camera movements. Overseas animation was provided by Toon City.
Music
Series composer Jefferson Friedman returned to compose the score of the film alongside Christopher Lennertz, who would also compose themes for the film, including an extended version of the "I.M.P. Jingle." Matt Novack and Christopher French would also return, albeit through additional music. Original songs were written by Parry Gripp, Sam Haft, and Lyle Rath.
Release
In September 2024, it was announced that Ketchup Entertainment had acquired co-distribution rights to the film.
Helluva Boss premiered at the South by Southwest Festival on March 18, 2025. The film was distributed starting April 18 to overseas territories. It was then released in other countries for the following two days before it was released in North America on April 25, 2025 by A24.
The film was originally set to release on February 14, 2025, but was pushed back to April 25, 2025.
Marketing
A website dedicated to I.M.P. was published online as a tie-in to the film. It contains info about the company, its employees, and a number that could be dialed.
Home media
The film was released on digital download on June 17, 2025 and then 4K UHD, Blu-Ray, and DVD on July 15, 2025.
Reception
Box office
In the United States and Canada, the film grossed $48.2 million and grossed $27.3 million in other territories.
Critical reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 65% based on 149 critics with an average rating of 5.94/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Helluva Boss may be offense to some for its raunchy humor, but it still provides huge laughs and somewhat heartwarming moments." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 61 out of 100 based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences on CinemaScore gave the film a grade of "B" on an "A+ to F" scale, and PostTrak said that 67% of audiences gave the film a positive review, with 59% saying they'd recommend it.
IndieWire gave the film a B+, saying: "Helluva Boss is one movie that feels like a middle finger to religion, but at the same time, still does what its known for: action." Yuri Retz of The New York Times described the film as a "helluva ride", stating that with its well-made animation and outstanding voice acting, it can make its way up to the places that South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Sausage Party made.
The Guardian gave the film a two out of five stars for its excessive use of language and over-the-top violence, though saying that "it was expected anyway, as it was never aimed at kids to begin with."
Controversy
Several days after the release of Helluva Boss, controversy emerged on X involving numerous users who claimed to be artists and animators on the film. The users claimed that director Vivienne Medrano treated the workers poorly and forced to work overtime for free. According to one user, around 50 employees went uncredited in the film. An investigation conducted by the Los Angeles Times in May 2025 confirmed the comments were inaccurate, and were suspected they were made to damage the film's reputation. The users' accounts were disabled the next week, with producer Gabe Frost commenting on the controversy, calling it "painful and sickening to watch." The situation was compared to a similar outburst for Sausage Party, where co-director Greg Tiernan treated their animators poorly.
Taglines
- "Witness the massacre." -Poster tagline
- "Things sure do happen, don't they?" -Secondary tagline
- "He's got the hang of it." -Blitzø's poster's tagline
- "A little ruff to handle." -Loona's poster's tagline
- "Killer romance." -Moxxie & Millie's poster's tagline
- "A real hoot." - Stolas' poster's tagline
Credits
Main article: Helluva Boss (film)/Credits
Transcript
Main article: Helluva Boss (film)/Transcript