Zootopia 2 review — Partnerssss in crime

Zootopia 2 is everything you’d want in a sequel to one of Disney’s modern classics. It’s got the charm, wittiness, and fluidity, if not more, than its 2016 precursor. Come to think of it, it seems rather fitting and almost shocking that the original Zootopia released just shy of a decade from when its sequel, which hit theaters in 2025, launched.

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, with the former also penning the script and this acting as his second time in the full-on director’s chair, having broken that seal with 2021’s Encanto, it’s clear that what Disney has with Zootopia as a whole is about quality over quantity, even as they peddle out merch and a spin-off series focusing on the denizens of Zootopia in a parody TV sort of way.

“It’s (still) called a hustle, sweetheart”

Zootopia 2 follows bunny-fox duo Judy Hopps (with Ginnfer Goodwin reprising her role) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman rejoining, as well) as they dive into their biggest case since saving Zootopia from the hoven clutches of Dawn Bellwether. Despite their heroic deeds, however, they are still “newbies” and often seem to be at odds with Chief Bogo and the safety of the city, as displayed in their reckless chase of an anteater smuggler. They’re so at odds, Bogo encourages them go to partner counseling.

The overarching story is that the city is celebrating its centennial anniversary with city co-founder Ebenezer Lynxley’s own journal on display at a party in Tundratown. Things take a turn of the worst as for the first time in 100 years, a snake (played by Ke Huy Quan) appeared in Zootopia and stole the journal. A series of events led both Judy and Nick on the lamb and on the hit list of the ever-powerful Lynxley family as the duo have no choice but to get to the bottom of why the snake wants that journal so bad.

This is where Nick and Judy’s moral compass hits an impasse. While Judy feels it’s their responsibility to get to the bottom of this case and clear the name of the snakes so all creatures can live in harmony, Nick is understandably apprehensive and believes they should skip town until things blow over. Both sides have their fair points, on one hand, Zootopia’s most powerful, even more powerful than that of Mr. Big, wants them not just jailed, but dead. For Judy’s part, she wants nothing more than all living creatures living together in harmony.

If wasn’t clear, Zootopia 2 continues the trend of tackling the touchy and often misrepresented topic of racism while throwing in a touch of political corruption and self-worth for good measure. I think compared to other instances of films touching these topics, Zootopia as a whole manages to make it more digestible than others. That is to say, it’s a veiled and easy to miss topic and that’s what makes it great. You don’t have to overthink this movie, if you don’t want to, you can just see it as a normal Disney movie sequel. But, for those who want more, it’s a film that tackles a heavy topic without feeling as ham-fisted as their competition.

“Just a stupid bunny”

The animation and voice work is about what you’d expect from Disney — it’s well-performed, animated great, and has some amazing quotable one liners, especially with the introduction of Mayor Winddancer, an ex-actor who turned to politics played by the always hilarious Patrick Warbuton.

The music is fine. While the main credits song is a serviceable product, it’s still nowhere near the power of Try Everything; it’s not bad, but between the two, the latter is just better. Sound design is top-notch and the writing is just fantastic, arguably, better than the original.

I enjoyed the little nods to real world counterparts, like EweTube and Winddancer being a clear stand-in for real-world actor-turned-politician-turned-actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

There isn’t much that I actively dislike about Zootopia 2 outside of a frankly personal feeling too similar to the original in some ways and that it will eventually find itself in the same boat as other Disney IPs — fodder for printing money. I can confidently say Zootopia 3 is going to happen. In terms of the “too similar” part of my feelings; it’s an allegory for racism and political corruption with a twist villain and a dance number during the credits. I know I’m not the only one who’s tired of the whole twist villain arc Disney has gone down since Wreck It Ralph, but I feel the similarities are a little uncanny here and I worry what Disney has planned for a third entry.

Ssssimply sssspectacular

Zootopia 2 is a fun family film that keeps the spirit of Zootopia while expanding our understanding of the city and characters that inhabit this literal animal world. Hopefully, if Zootopia 3 really is in the works, we’ll get to see the unexplored Nocturnal District, as it would be cool to see the nighttime denizens of Zootopia.

B