Disney’s new animated film, Zootopia 2, is here for the holidays and could not have arrived at a better time. A sequel to the smash hit, the movie is a giggle blast, hilarious and heartfelt, warm and witty, with a direct line to your funny bone. At least, it had one to mine. The film is perfect family entertainment for this Thanksgiving, offering something for every age group. The characters are eclectic. The colors and personalities are vibrant. Furthermore, the film delivers quality, teachable messaging about discrimination, individuality, and stereotyping.
It is hard to imagine why the film took so long to get a sequel. Yet, I suppose it makes sense considering its messaging—remember when Shakira’s Gazelle essentially appeared on the local news talking about making the city great again? The original film was a 2015 release, making it ahead of its time with political rhetoric that remains relevant today, especially in its commentary on inclusion. Luckily, Zootopia 2 doubles down on that bravery with a story that feels contemporary, delivering all the right notes an American family film should.
Luckily, the film will still find the animation and comedy sweet spots for fans of the original, which never forgets to be entertaining, even working on many levels, comedically, dramatically, and emotionally. Zootopia 2 is the animated family film children need now more than ever and at exactly the right moment.
The follow-up has our two favorite detectives, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), now partners in the Zootopia Police Department. While their opposing personalities have some questioning their compatibility as partners, they share one thing in common: arrogance. That’s what gets them in trouble with their boss, Chief Bogo (Idris Elba). They botch a smuggling ring sting by disobeying direct orders and causing devastating financial damage to the city’s streets. Left behind is a shiny piece of shed snake skin.
Hopps and Wilde are suspended and sent to partner training. This training is led by Dr. Fuzzby (Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson) in a handful of hilarious scenes that highlight their friction. However, they forge ahead after Judy discovers that a catering company is being used as a front to smuggle in an illegal reptile. This marginalized class has been outlawed from Zootopia for decades. Hopps figures out that additional clues lead to the hottest ticket in town, the Zootenial Gala. This event is the great city’s centennial celebration.
The hosts of the event are the family of Lynxes, direct descendants of the city’s founder, Ebeneezer Lynxley. The patriarch of the family is Milton (The Man on the Inside’s David Strathairn). He is an outcast with an equally outcast son, Pawbert (Andy Samberg), who takes a liking to Hopps. While undercover at the event, they spot a hooded figure perched on the chandelier. The shadowy intruder, a pit viper named Gary (Ke Huy Quan), attacks Milton, who is attempting to steal the Lynx family journal. Why? They claim the book holds a long-held secret that could save his people.
Jared Bush (Encanto) wrote the original film and now steps into the co-director’s chair with Byron Howard (Tangled). Bush also wrote the script, which never reinvents the wheel, but does an exceptional job of showcasing what these films can be. First, the film works for both kids and adults. It has emotional truth and universal themes conveyed through colorful, expressive animated characters. The simple takeaway messages help highlight the deeper ideas at play. There is also slapstick comedy, which, frankly, is for big kids like me, and sharp satire that playfully nods to older films, similar to what The Simpsons used to excel at.
The movie also works on many levels, like the best Pixar movies used to. This Disney animated film has a complex emotional story that avoids fairy-tale narratives. Besides the great high-concept comedy, the zany supporting characters, and the wonderful buddy friendship, the film’s third act is also suspenseful and exciting. Not to give away the scene, but it has kinetic energy and beautiful animation, with an emotional element that reveals the lead character’s vulnerability. This hybrid moment has an almost visceral effect, deepening the emotional tension while showcasing the film’s technical artistry and receiving an enhancement from Michael Giacchino’s musical score.
There are a few flaws you can’t help but compare to the first film. It doesn’t have that great Flash Slothmore (Raymond S. Persi) introduction, though he does have a nice cameo here. Shakira’s “Zoo” is good, but it’s not as catchy or as thematically encompassing as “Try Everything.” However, Zootopia 2 is still worth watching because it is a sequel that extends the original and stands on its own. While also tackling what it means to be a community, lending a helping hand to your neighbors, and embracing our differences, that leads to one undeniable truth: how empathy can unite us, but coldhearted apathy will divide us.
Zootopia 2 will debut exclusively in theaters starting November 26, 2025, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.Â
Zootopia 2 is hilarious and heartfelt, warm and witty, with a direct line to your funny bone.
I am a film and television critic and a proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society, Critics Choice Association, and a 🍅 Rotten Tomatoes/Tomato meter approved. However, I still put on my pants one leg at a time, and that’s when I often stumble over. When I’m not writing about movies, I patiently wait for the next Pearl Jam album and pass the time by scratching my wife’s back on Sunday afternoons while she watches endless reruns of California Dreams. I was proclaimed the smartest reviewer alive by actor Jason Isaacs, but I chose to ignore his obvious sarcasm. You can also find my work on InSession Film, Ready Steady Cut, Hidden Remote, Music City Drive-In, Nerd Alert, and Film Focus Online.
