Zootopia 2 (2025) Disney/Action-Comedy RT: 108 minutes Rated PG (action/violence and rude humor) Director: Jared Bush and Byron Howard Screenplay: Jared Bush Music: Michael Giacchino Release date: November 26, 2025 (US) Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Idris Elba, Shakira, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Jenny Slate, Michelle Gomez, David Fane, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, Phil “CM Punk” Brooks, Stephanie Beatriz, Jean Reno, Alan Tudyk, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, John Leguizamo, Tiny Lister, Maurice LaMarche, Leah Latham, Cecily Strong, Raymond S. Persi, Josh Dallas, Auli’I Cravalho, Mark Rhino Smith, Tommy Chong.
Rating: ***
The animated sequel Zootopia 2 is very funny, but the line that had me laughing the loudest wasn’t from the movie. It came from the 4YO girl sitting a couple of seats down from me. During the previews, she said, “Is the movie ever going to start?!” She was voicing what all the adults in attendance were thinking. Out of the mouths of babes, right?
My greatest fear regarding Zootopia 2 is that it would be yet another soulless Disney cash-grab sequel. I’m happy to report it’s not a mere retread with a number tacked at the end of a popular title. It’s quite good actually. I enjoyed it as much as the first one which I rewatched the previous evening. I needed a refresher.
Our two heroes, Zootopia PD officers Judy Hopps (Goodwin, He’s Just Not That Into You) and Nick Wilde (Bateman, Horrible Bosses), set out to crack another big case after their attempt to take down a smuggling ring goes hilariously awry. In the midst of the mayhem, Judy finds evidence that there might be a snake in Zootopia. Reptiles haven’t been allowed in the city since its founding 100 years ago. This, of course, doesn’t go over well with the founder’s descendants, the Lynxley family.
Fed up with their destructive behavior, Chief Bogo (Elba, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 & 3) pulls them from active duty and orders them into partner’s therapy to get their act together. If they don’t, he will separate them permanently. Judy, as per her nature, ignores his orders and convinces Nick to accompany her to the Zootenial Gala where the founder’s journal will be on display.
Sure enough, somebody tries to abscond with the journal. That somebody is Gary DeSnake (Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once), a pit viper looking to convince everybody that snakes aren’t bad, that it’s all just a lie cooked up by the Lynxleys to cover up something huge. Judy and Nick find themselves on the run from the law after family patriarch Milton (Strathairn, The Bourne Ultimatum) accuses them of being in cahoots with the snake.
Returning directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard do more than make a movie with Zootopia 2. They build a world. And what a wondrous world it is! It’s a city divided into different ecosystems for a wide variety of species from ice to tundra to desert. Mammals (and only mammals) live in harmony from the largest to the smallest. Then there’s Marsh Market, a segregated part of Zootopia populated by sea creatures and reptiles. It’s a busy, bustling place with a bar that resembles a certain cantina from a certain sci-fi classic.
Most of the characters you loved in the first Zootopia are back in Zootopia 2 including crime boss shrew Mr. Big (LaMarche) and the DMV sloth Flash (Persi). We also get a few new ones like beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Feimster, The Mindy Project), a conspiracy theorist who hosts a true crime podcast. She’s fun. Patrick Warburton (Family Guy) plays the new mayor Brian Winddancer, a horse with a blonde mane that makes him look like an equine Fabio. Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) is also along for the ride as Pawbert, the misfit Lynxley son who’s somehow involved with everything going on. Quan is a very welcome addition to the cast as Gary, the nicest poisonous snake you’re ever likely to meet.
The voice talents do a wonderful job, especially Goodwin and Bateman as the bunny-fox duo. Their partnership isn’t perfect. Judy talks a lot and makes moves without consulting her partner. Nick wise-cracks his way through his internal pain from a lonely upbringing. He’s been on his own since the age of 12 and still hasn’t let down his guard with his partner/friend. I know, it seems like a lot for a kid’s movie, but we really should give the little ones a little more credit. They understand more than we think.
The computer-animation in Zootopia 2 is first-rate stuff. It’s colorful, detailed and vibrant with lively action sequences that will thrill the kiddies and some adults. There’s this one incredible bit where the heroes travel through a water-filled tube. It’s a total thrill ride. The movie also has a sly sense of humor. I never thought I’d see a kid’s movie reference The Shining, but here we are. It’s one of the funniest gags in the film.
I know that audiences will be lining up for Wicked: For Good this Thanksgiving weekend. I hope they’ll also give Zootopia 2 a chance. It’s a fun movie for the whole family. That is, provided they have the patience for 30 minutes of previews unlike the clearly (and hilariously) annoyed girl I encountered today. We all hear you, kiddo. They show WAY too many previews!
