If you’ve ever wondered why there isn’t a kids movie that has the funny and cheeky vibe of the OCEAN’S ELEVEN movies, then THE BAD GUYS is for you (and/or your family).

It was only a matter of time before Aaron Blabey’s million-selling “Bad Guys” books — about a team of five animal criminals who are kinda-sorta trying to reform themselves — became a movie. Now the animated caper, with a voice cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Richard Ayoade, and Zazie Beetz, is here. The movie should be catnip for pre-teen audiences and might even turn parents into devoted fans as well.

First off, take a look at the latest trailer for THE BAD GUYS. You’ll likely see right off that this is obviously a movie crafted for families, but that it also has something that makes it unique from most animated movies for kids.

A flash of inspiration led Blabey to create what he calls “Tarantino for kids.” The stories follow jaded safecracker Mr. Snake, the quick-tempered bruiser Mr. Piranha, master of disguise Mr. Shark, smack-talking hacker Mr. Tarantula, and pickpocket and gang leader Mr. Wolf. Despite a few small changes, the characters are very nearly the same on the big screen as they are on the page.

“The Bad Guys” book series debuted in 2015 and currently numbers 15 volumes, with two released each year. Blabey has plans for 20 books, but he’s already developing new characters and stories set in the same world.

If seeing Quentin Tarantino’s name used as a point of comparison for a family animated movie gives you pause, don’t worry. The author started thinking about the book series when he and his six-year old son were both bored by most of the books pitched to early readers.

While the Australian Blabey is inspired by American movies and he wants to capture that energy, he keeps a young audience foremost in mind. Each story is crafted “in such a way that you leave out the bits that are too scary or too full on.”

THE BAD GUYS opens on April 22.

All images courtesy of DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures.