Animated sequels like Zootopia 2 are one of the biggest gambles at the box office. The 2016 original struck it rich at the box office. The franchise at large has returned sporadically over almost a decade. Yet for all of the reasons people could have to be skeptical about a sequel this long in the making; they are thankfully unfounded. What results is a movie that’s sure to go down as one of 2025’s most welcome surprises. This thanks to the humor and heart it brings to the table.

In the world of writer/co-director Jared Bush’s long-awaited follow up, it’s been a week since Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) first teamed up. A fledgling team of detectives at the ZPD, it isn’t long before their true measure is called into question. Once again corruption and conspiracy threaten to wipe this fox and rabbit pair out – that is, if they don’t abandon each other first.

There’s a lot more on the line in Zootopia 2. The city’s Zootennial Celebration is disrupted by Ke Huy Quan’s Gary De’Snake. He initially is painted as a foe to the natural order. There’s more going on than meets the eye. Leading to Nick and Judy’s new adventure debuting new characters and environments. The change of scenery only means more opportunity to work with the gags and animals that made Zootopia a hit in the first place.

“ZOOTPIOA 2” OUTDOES THE ORIGINAL WITH IT’S FAST, FUNNY DETECTIVE STORY 

Nick, Judy, and the rest of our returning roster of wildlife do not miss a step when getting back onto the beat. This is great if you’re somehow a newbie to this world. However returning fans can still appreciate the energy brought into Zootopia’s big ticket sequel. Wasting no time getting everyone up to speed, a quick rundown of what happened that led to Officers Wilde and Hopps being paired up in the first place is all that’s needed to let this new spin fly at top speed.

Balancing a refresher course and a fast paced continuation, Jared Bush and returning co-director Byron Howard clearly know what makes this concept tick. That sort of economy isn’t limited to the pre-existing foundation, as some new elements only enhance what came before. There are certainly callbacks to Zootopia 2’s predecessor. Thanks to old friends being given some new and exciting jokes to take part in.

Fans of Shakira’s Gazelle will be particularly pleased. She’s given a moment that acts like a cherry on top of two bookending chase scenes. Even in that fulfilling moment, the new story and figures are given more than enough time to shine. Reflecting the “better together” tagline of the celebration that’s crucial to the plot.

DISNEY DOUBLES DOWN ON ZOOTOPIA’S MINDFUL CRIME-FIGHTING FORMULA WHILE MAKING ROOM FOR NEW CHARACTERS

Zootopia 2’s freshness as a police procedural scores another notch in the Disney win column. Solving a crime that just so happens to connect to a socially conscious plotline is even more difficult than just providing an entertaining animated sequel. The overall narrative that Gary De’snake finds himself winding through alongside our established detectives. It takes a complicated issue and shapes it into a message that entertains as well as informs. 

It’s because of Gary, and his status as the first snake to set foot in Zootopia in some time, that the tale continues to be a fresh take. He opens the gateway to biomes we haven’t seen yet. Zootopia’s relatively short amount of time passing in-universe still allows for a slight modernization of how the world (and the humor) works. Ke Huy Quan’s warm performance as the reptile in question helps reinforce both the silly and the heartfelt. Holding together the ambitious nature of this sequel.

And then there’s the inclusion of Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), a conspiracy theorist beaver with a podcast. That concept could have existed in 2016. But admittedly it hits harder with children and adults in 2025. This just shows the fine line between the current and timeless gags that Zootopia 2 deftly employs. In another 10 years this film will probably age as well as its precursor. It doesn’t depend on any specifically topical humor. Banking instead on the chops of performers like Feimster and Quan to win over the viewer.

Zootopia 2

“ZOOTOPIA 2” MIGHT JUST CONQUER SEQUEL CYNICS, LEAVING THEM WANTING MORE

Comedy is a genre that doesn’t always lend itself to franchise filmmaking. While procedurals are conversely too easy to churn out. Hiding in-between those extremes is a sweet spot that isn’t always easy to hit. But Zootopia 2 nails it with its metaphorical tranquilizer dart. No one is left out with the continuing charms of Nick and Judy’s quest for justice, which is fantastic news for people who may have missed the tubes the first time around. 

Heading into the holiday season, pictures like Zootopia 2 are crucial. Families heading out to the movies will be racking their minds for options that appeal across the spectrums. Disney has succeeded in that quest with its latest effort, through an energized romp that moves with speed and style – just like Flash the Sloth’s sports car.

With a glee that recalls the best of the Looney Tunes era of comedy, you’ll need multiple viewings to catch everything Zootopia 2 has to offer. And thanks to the quality of the finished film, adults may find themselves just as eager to return as their children.