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Zootopia 2 (PG)

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Idris Elba

Release Date: November 26, 2025

Runtime: 1 hr. 48 mins.

Genre: Animation, Adventure

In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia 2,” detectives Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal 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.

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Review

Zootopia 2 takes viewers back to the animated city where all species of animals (mostly) live in peaceful harmony and where mismatched buddies like the high-energy bunny cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and her ex-con red fox partner, Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), can form close bonds. Nine years have passed in our world since Disney released Zootopia to acclaim and box-office success, but only a week has passed in the animated world. So, when it comes time to rejoin the misadventures of this pair, they're still in the early stages of navigating their newfound partnership. They also haven't yet earned the trust of the humorless Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), who assigns them to watch and learn-activities that run contrary to Judy's tireless can-do attitude and her eagerness to prove herself.

Like many Disney animated adventures, Zootopia stood well enough on its own but offered numerous avenues for expansion. The studio's decision to resurrect the title was based primarily on brand recognition and the expectation that a familiar name would generate solid box-office returns. To their credit, the filmmakers didn't rely solely on that goodwill. Instead, they took the time and energy to develop a palatable narrative and craft something that should satisfy fans of the original movie while not presenting a high bar of entry for any newcomers for whom this marks a first visit to Zootopia. The result is a sequel that feels more like a natural continuation than a shameless cash grab, even if the motivations behind its existence are largely financial.

As is the case with most box-office-driven movies, this one follows a successful and recognizable formula. To that extent, Zootopia 2 focuses primarily on the friendly (but sometimes acerbic) relationship between Judy and Nick, the core dynamic that underpinned the first film. It places them on a new case with significant Zootopia-wide implications and introduces a handful of new characters who help broaden the movie's thematic and comedic range. These include the serpentine pit viper Gary De'Snake (Ke Huy Quan), the first snake to visit the city in 100 years; the overly talkative and socially awkward Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg), the youngest son of the influential Lynxley clan; and Milton Lynxley (David Strathairn), Pawbert's authoritarian father and the story's primary antagonist. Many familiar faces return as well, albeit often in small roles. Shakira once again lends her voice to Gazelle, the superstar singer who contributes a couple of musical numbers. The film also sports a surprisingly large roster of celebrity cameos, including Danny Trejo, Stephanie Beatriz, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, John Leguizamo, Jean Reno, Bob Iger, Ed Sheeran, June Squibb, Michael J. Fox, Josh Gad, Anika Noni Rose, and Dwayne Johnson, most of whom pop in for quick gags or background appearances.

The film's message is characteristically family-friendly, dealing with themes of inclusion (as was the case in the original Zootopia) and the importance of family, loyalty, and love. None of this is presented in a fashion that's overly preachy, so the ideas can be absorbed organically through the story and character interactions. The narrative isn't masterpiece quality, but it's sturdy enough to keep kids engaged without functioning as a sleep tonic for adults. Zootopia 2 also deepens the bond between Judy and Nick, developing a warm platonic love that remains surprisingly rare in animated films-perhaps in part because Disney seems wary of how audiences might react to a full-fledged romance between a bunny and a fox. As one would reasonably expect from a Disney production, the animation is of the highest quality, although there's one snake-related sequence where the imagery looks a little too obviously CGI (a brief but noticeable hiccup).

The film's comedy consists mostly of physical jokes and occasional low-brow humor that will play well with younger viewers. A few of the more off-color remarks help justify the film's PG rating rather than a G from the MPA. Mayor Brian Winddancer's (Patrick Warburton) preening antics are clearly designed to entertain adults, as are many of Nick's sly asides. The filmmakers understand the importance of throwing the occasional bone to grown-ups to keep them invested during the more kid-oriented stretches.

Ultimately, Zootopia 2 delivers exactly what one could reasonably expect it to provide. It neither overshoots nor undershoots the mark. It's an enjoyable diversion, working better as a family film than as something with the depth or complexity suitable for adult-primary entertainment. It's a seamless continuation of the stories and relationships introduced in Zootopia, moving things forward without making any radical changes to the underlying formula-and that consistency may be exactly what audiences want from a return trip to this animated menagerie.

© 2025 James Berardinelli

Synopsis

In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia 2,” detectives Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal 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.

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