Product Info

Studio

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Director

Jared Bush, Byron Howard

Genre

Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family

Rated

PG

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Nov 26, 2025

Film Length

1hr 48min

Purchase From

Zootopia 2, the sequel to the successful 2016 animated film, is a solid continuation of the story that audiences of all ages will enjoy.

Unlikely Duo’s Return

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The animated film starts with a flashback to the 2016 film, where detective rabbit Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time, Big Love), and the fox con artist, Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Game Night), stop Dawn Bellwether from her scheme of having prey animals (rabbits, sheep, giraffes, etc.) as the dominant species instead of living together with predators. It’s a great segue to start the sequel, giving a quick refresher on Judy and Nick as they will be the main focus throughout the film.

The film then fast-forwards to showcase Judy and Nick as a police partnership. A new order is given out for illegal substances coming into Zootopia. Instead of waiting for orders from the police station, the unlikely duo of rabbit and fox proceed to capture the criminal. A clever undercover plan and a few comical mishaps turn the situation into a chase. Things escalate as other officers from the same station order Judy and Nick to back down. Ignoring the request, Judy and Nick end up stopping the wanted fugitive into custody but don’t receive credit for it and cause collateral damage to the city. To keep their jobs, the two have to undergo therapist counseling for cop partners to work on their communication skills, as Judy tends to be energetic and take on cases while Nick tends to be more relaxed and not take cases seriously enough.

Susssspicious Discovery

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New evidence arises that a snake has entered Zootopia, which has never been seen since the beginning of the development of Zootopia centuries ago. The two cops go undercover once more to the Lynxley’s family event to find the snake named Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Goonies), who is looking to take a historic book about Zootopia and the technologies of the climate walls that allow a variety of animals to live in specific areas, such as cold weather and tropical climates. More mishaps occur, and now Judy and Nick find themselves running from both the cops and the Lynxley family. It’s a twist of events for these two, but their fresh partnership, which Judy celebrates as a one-week anniversary throughout the film, is used in hilarious ways as a joke, seen as a “marriage anniversary” to the public eye. There are plenty of comical dialogues for all ages that keep the momentum going between characters and story building.

The film also explores other areas that weren’t in the previous film, such as the swamp where water mammals like beavers, walruses, and reptiles live, and in-between areas where development plots are built. Outside of running from the police force, Judy and Nick have their own problems with each other, as they struggle to be on the same page and someone has to compromise when action begins, causing tension in their relationship. However, it’s clear that the two care for each other despite their differing opinions. Nick wants to play it safe, while Judy wants to serve justice no matter how dangerous it is. Between relationship hiccups, running from the cops, discovering the truth about the snakes and reptiles kicked out of Zootopia, there’s a lot going on, and the film juggles each scenario quite well without overshadowing other plot points.

The story about the history of Zootopia and the secrets behind it make for an interesting tale and a world that feels like it has endless possibilities. Zootopia 2’s story delivers, and the audience will enjoy its storytelling along with its witty and comical dialogues.

Returning and New Faces

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Some characters outside of Judy and Nick make brief appearances in the film. For example, Mr. Big and Fru Fru are there, but only for a short segment. The same goes for Finnick and Flash; it would be interesting to see more of these characters in the film. However, Gazelle, voiced by songwriter Shakira, is shown more and actually has more dialogue compared to the first film.

The Lynxley family is a new addition to the film, introduced early enough to have a little more screen time. In addition to the family, new characters like Nibbles Maplestick, voiced by Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project, Office Christmas Party), the female beaver, are slowly introduced and become more prominent as the film reaches its climax. Gary De’Snake is a happy-go-lucky snake with a positive attitude that adds a different dynamic to the team. These new characters add depth to the unfolding story. Both characters’ voices felt rightfully placed in these fictional characters’ personalities.

Visually Pleassssing

© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Like the first film, Zootopia 2 continues to look beautiful with its variety of vibrant worlds. From the downtown city to the swamp, each area the audience explores feels like a new world to discover. Small details in the environment, such as the buildup on the seams when seen inside the water-filled tubes where Judy and Nick are chasing after Gary, show the high level of detail the animation studio has put in. Character designs continue to impress from the first film and appear to show more details and animation in facial expressions and clothing.

The soundtrack, composed by Michael Giacchino, does a good job, though most of the time you won’t be able to distinguish what is playing with all the activities occurring throughout the film. However, when heard, it carries the scenario vibe, such as the rush of chasing after Gary or being taken by Mr. Big’s henchmen and dropped off in a fashion design factory. The banjo-tuned score when visiting the swamps adds a familiar but energetic tune as Judy and Nick explore.

The Final Case

Zootopia 2 explores deeper into the mysterious history of Zootopia while delivering hilarious dialogue and introducing lively new characters in a fast-paced undercover chase. It’s a colorful and energetic ride that shows how a fox and a rabbit can make a wildly good team!

An early screening was provided for this review. Zootopia 2 arrives in theaters on November 26, 2025. More information and ticket purchases can be found on the official website.