Introduction
Welcome to my corner! This week, I'm sharing my thoughts on the film Zootopia 2. The sequel finally became available to watch on Disney+, so Tren and I had a Zootopia marathon. Enjoy!
Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2 (titled Zootropolis 2 in some markets) is a 2025 American animated buddy cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the sequel to Zootopia (2016). Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard and written by Bush, the film stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, Nate Torrence, Don Lake, Bonnie Hunt, and Jenny Slate reprising their roles from the first film, with newcomers Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Bruson and Danny Trejo joining the cast. The film follows Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they pursue a pit viper named Gary De'Snake across Zootopia and try to clear their names after being framed.
Zootopia 2 premiered at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles on November 13, 2025 and was released in the United States on November 26. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $1.864 billion worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time, the ninth-highest-grossing film of all time, and the second-highest grossing film of 2025, it won Best Animated Feature at the 79th British Academy Film Awards and was nominated in the same category at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards (in addition to Cinematic and Box Office Achievement), the 31st Critics' Choice Awards and the 98th Academy Awards.
Plot: Rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De'Snake arrives in Zootropolis and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.
Acting: The Zootopia franchise is my favorite for all of these actors unless otherwise stated.
Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, a young optimistic rabbit and the first rabbit officer of the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD). Her four most notable titles currently are He's Just Not That Into You, Zootopia 2 and the television series Big Love and Once Upon a Time. I like the Once Upon a Time series.
Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, a sly red fox and a former con artist who later joined the Zootopia Police Department as their first fox officer. His four most notable titles currently include Game Night, Bad Words, Zootopia and the Arrested Development television series.
Ke Huy Quan as Gary De'Snake, a pit viper being pursued by Judy and Nick. We're so lucky Quan made a return to acting. His four most notable titles currently are The Goonies, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Zootopia 2 and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. My favorite is Everything, Everywhere All at Once!
Fortune Feimster as Nibbles Maplestick, a beaver podcast host and conspiracy theorist. I wasn't sure how I was going to like this character at first, but I ended up loving her. Her four most notable titles currently include The Mindy Project television series, Office Christmas Party, Chelsea Lately television series (writer), and Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty comedy special.
Andy Samberg as Pawbert Lynxley, an awkward Canady lynx who is the youngest runt of the powerful Lynxley family. Samberg is 50/50 for me, sometimes I like him, sometimes I don't. I don't mind him lending his voice to animated characters, but past that, he usually annoys me. His four most notable titles currently are Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Palm Springs, Saturday Night Live television series and Brooklyn Nine-Nine television series. I did enjoy Palm Springs and the Hotel Transylvania franchise.
Minor roles were voiced by David Strathairn, Idris Elba, Shakira, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo (MACHETE!), Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Michelle Gomez, David Fane, Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i, Phil "CM Punk" Brooks, Stephanie Beatriz, Wilmer Valderrama, Jean Reno, Alan Tudyk, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song (both of them?! and voicing siblings?! hahaha), Tiny Lister, Maurice LaMarche, Leah Latham, Raymond S. Persi, Jenny Slate, Josh Dallas, Tommy Chong, Auli'i Cravalho, Hewitt Bush, Blake Slatkin, Nick DiGiovanni, Tig Notaro, Sasha and Milan Piqué Mebarak, Bob Iger, Daniel V. Graulau, Amanda Gorman, Ed Sheeran, Yvette Nicole Brown, Tiffany Lonsdale, George Pennacchio, Jared Bush, June Squibb, Rachel House, Melissa G. Shepherd, Cecily Strong, Mario Lopez, Michael J. Fox, Mark "Rhino" Smith, Josh Gad, Fabienne Rawley, Peter Mansbridge, Robert Irwin, Anika Noni Rose, Taylen Biggs, Mae Martina and Dwayne Johnson. I love how they hired all these big names to play minor roles that they won't necessarily get recognized in. Like a cameo, but in voice only, so it is harder to tell who the celebrity is. They also put a fun spin on the celebrity names for their animated character counterparts. For instance, Michael J. Fox voiced a fox named Michael J. Hehe.
Technical aspects: In June 2016, directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore were in talks about the possibility of a Zootopia sequel. On February 8, 2023, during the Q1 earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the sequel was in active development. Later that day, screenwriter Jared Bush confirmed that he was working on the film.
On February 7, 2024, Iger announced the film's release date and that the film would be officially titled Zootopia 2. On April 15, Goodwin confirmed on her Instagram account that she began recording her lines for Judy, revealing that the film was in production. At the D23 Expo on August 9, it was announced that Zootopia 2 would feature reptiles, and Ke Huy Quan was announced to be playing Gary, a snake being pursued by Nick and Judy. Footage was also shown of a sequence in which Nick and Judy search for Gary in Marsh Market.
Bush was announced as the sequel's sole writer and director while Yvett Merion joined the project as producer. On September 19, Jared Bush became the new chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios following Jennifer Lee's resignation to become director of Frozen 3. The following day, Bush confirmed that Byron Howard, the original creator and director of Zootopia, had returned to become co-director of Zootopia 2.
It was revealed that unused recordings of Tommy Lister Jr. from the first film would be utilized for Finnick in the sequel. Lister died in 2020, which led to Disney contacting Lister's family for permission. The film was dedicated in Lister's memory per the credits.
Final Thoughts: As far as sequels go, this was a good one. I'm not generally a big fan of sequels or prequels, as they hardly ever live up to the magic of the first film, but sometimes they manage to pull it off. This time they did. Now, I'm not saying Zootopia 2 is better than the first, it definitely isn't, but it is another good saga in the Zootopia franchise. And, I hear there will be more. I am weary of this, but it's not surprising. In the entertainment industry, if you have a cash cow, you milk it dry. I give my approval on this sequel. Go ahead and have your own Zootopia marathon!
My favorite scene was the takedown scene where the good guys beat up the bad guys and arrest them. The fight was pretty awesome, and funny. I cannot name names as that would be a spoiler.
My favorite quote is "Takes a threesome to be something, but a FOURWAY to bust your DOORWAY!" —Nibbles Maplestick.
Rated: PG
P.S. The media references are also great.
Where to watch it: According to Google, Zootopia 2 is currently available on the streaming services: Disney+. You can also purchase or rent a digital copy for a few dollars. I've also donated a DVD copy of the film to the Emil M. Larson Public Library in Clark for you all to enjoy, if you choose.
