Zootopia 2 Review: If you told me a few years ago that we’d be waiting nearly a decade for a sequel to Zootopia, I’d have laughed. But here we are, nine years later, and Disney finally dropped Zootopia 2. The real shocker?
It’s actually great.
We’re back with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, now official partners in the ZPD. They’re solving cases, cracking jokes, doing their buddy-cop thing, until a mysterious snake slithers into the picture and kicks off a storyline packed with world-building, surprises, and more visual humor than the first film.
My Rating: 3.5/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie | Zootopia 2 |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Genre | Animated, Mystery, Comedy, Adventure |
| Director | Jared Bush, Byron Howard |
| Main Cast (Voices) | Ginnifer Goodwin (Judy Hopps), Jason Bateman (Nick Wilde), Ke Huy Quan (Gary the Snake), Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, Andy Samberg |
| Runtime | 1h 48m |
A Buddy-Cop Energy That Truly Works
One thing Disney absolutely nails this time is the buddy-cop vibe. The Zootopia 2 opens with Judy and Nick on a case that feels straight out of Rush Hour or Beverly Hills Cop. Fast pacing, witty banter, fun chaos, the whole package.
Even though it’s been nine years for us, in Zootopia time, it’s barely been months. Their dynamic is still fresh, playful, and surprisingly heartfelt. You’ll feel that spark that made the first film work so well.
And yes… the Judy-and-Nick shippers are going to lose their minds. The film gives them plenty of fuel. Nothing official, but the chemistry is louder this time.
The World-Building Goes Deeper (With Reptiles!)
The big hook this time is the introduction of reptiles, a group you probably didn’t even notice was missing from the first movie, until the film points it out.
The new character, Gary the Snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), brings the main mystery to life. The story digs into the hidden history of Zootopia, why reptiles have been absent, and what that means for its “everyone lives in harmony” reputation.
There’s one fully fleshed-out new area, a swampy, New-Orleans-inspired bayou, and it looks gorgeous. Water tubes for transportation, underwater restaurants, walrus taxis… the creativity is back in full force.
But yes, I agree with you: nine years later, we should’ve had more new zones.
The Humor Hits Harder
This is one of the funniest Disney animated films in years. Not just dialogue. The visual gags? Next level.
Disney references their own movies all over the place, Pixar movies too, and the timing is perfect. There’s one particular Pixar callback that had me genuinely laughing out loud. It feels like the writers finally let loose and had fun with the world.
The Mystery Actually Works
The plot isn’t complicated, but it IS engaging. The snake isn’t the real villain (you’ll see that twist coming), but the story still unfolds in a satisfying way.
The new Lynxley family, voiced by Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, and Andy Samberg, adds a fun, slightly chaotic energy to the investigation and the backstory of Zootopia’s founding.
The last act even dips into darker territory, emotionally and visually, but it lands with impact. Nothing too terrifying for kids, but enough weight for adults to feel invested.
Where the Zootopia 2 Stumbles
Nothing major, but a few things stand out:
- Convenient plot shortcuts: Flash the sloth showing up again? Fun, sure. But also… very convenient for moving the plot forward.
- Not enough new worlds: A movie this anticipated deserved more variety in environments.
- Nick’s personal arc feels incomplete: We see his apartment, and it’s rough. We see his past-due bills. It hints at a deeper storyline about how going “straight” doesn’t magically solve everything… But the movie never follows up.
Small thing, but it could’ve added emotional depth.
Also Read: Eternity Review – Eternity Broke Me in the Best Way Possible, You Need to Watch Eternity Immediately
Good & Bad of Zootopia 2
| What Works (Good) | What Doesn’t (Bad) |
|---|---|
| Judy & Nick’s chemistry is stronger and funnier than ever. | Not enough new worlds were added despite a 9-year wait. |
| Fresh, engaging mystery with solid pacing. | A few plot points feel too convenient (Flash the sloth cameo). |
| Reptile World + Gary the Snake bring new energy and lore. | Nick’s personal struggles were teased but never explored. |
| Visual comedy and Disney/Pixar Easter eggs land perfectly. | Villain twist is predictable for adults. |
| Animation upgrades look gorgeous, especially in the swamp/bayou zone. | World-building could’ve gone deeper into reptile society. |
| Side characters like the Lynxley family add fun chaos. | Some emotional beats could’ve hit harder. |
| Big post-credit tease hints at a strong future for the franchise. | The Runtime feels slightly short for the story’s potential. |
Final Verdict on Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2 is a worthy sequel, funnier than the first, visually richer, and full of heart. It expands the world without breaking what worked, and it sets up amazing possibilities for future films.
Disney, don’t you dare make us wait another decade.
Ratings
- Action: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
- Comedy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
- Drama: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
- Suspense: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
Best For: Movie lovers who enjoy world-building, buddy-cop storytelling, and clever animation details. This is absolutely a “buy for your collection” type of sequel.
Final Thoughts on Zootopia 2
The post-credit scene teases a whole new direction, one that could make Zootopia 3 even wilder. And honestly? If Disney keeps this buddy-cop mystery formula going, I’d happily watch 10 of these movies.
What did you think about the Judy–Nick dynamic this time? Still platonic? Or is Disney quietly cooking something?
