Zootopia 2 is easily one of the most anticipated animated releases of the year. Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard and written by Jared Bush, the film brings back Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, alongside new additions like Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster. I have a lot of nostalgia for the original Zootopia. I first saw it in a packed Dolby showing with my mom, and I loved how heartfelt, funny, and visually rich it was. It blended great characters, sharp humor, strong themes, and a genuinely fun mystery. So I went into the sequel with a lot of excitement.
Zootopia 2 follows Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they’re pulled into a new mystery when a reptile named Gary De’Snake arrives in the city and causes chaos. Their investigation takes them into new corners of Zootopia and forces them to confront hidden divisions while testing the strength of their partnership.
I really enjoyed Zootopia 2. It’s a great follow up in a lot of ways. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been watching a lot of heavy dramas and period pieces, so getting something bright, funny, fast paced, and heartfelt felt refreshing. The animation is stunning. Modern Disney may have mixed reactions from some fans when it comes to storytelling, but visually their work is consistently incredible. This film doubles down on everything that made the first Zootopia so rich. The colors are vibrant, the worldbuilding is playful, and the movie is full of clever Easter eggs and nods to both Disney and the original film.
The pacing is tight. The film moves quickly, stays fun, and never left me bored. Some narrative choices lean into familiar territory and a couple story beats feel a little repetitive from the first film, but overall the energy and charm carry the movie effortlessly.
Once again, the heart of the film lies with Judy and Nick. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman know these characters inside and out, and their chemistry is fantastic. Their dynamic still works perfectly. Judy is eager and driven, Nick is laid back and sly, and their personalities bounce off each other in charming ways. The emotional moments between them are some of the strongest parts of the movie. There were several scenes that genuinely warmed my heart.
The returning cast is a lot of fun. Idris Elba is back as Chief Bogo, and Shakira returns as Gazelle with a new song called “Zoo.” The score by Michael Giacchino is another highlight, full of that signature orchestral warmth and adventure he’s known for.
As for the new characters, Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan, is a great addition. His storyline does the most to expand the lore of Zootopia. The film digs into the history of reptiles in the city, adding a new layer of worldbuilding that I found really interesting. It gives the sequel a fresh angle without changing the tone of the original film.
Fortune Feimster’s character, Nibbles, is another fun addition. She’s cute, quirky, and gets plenty of funny moments. Some of the new characters are treated like they’re more emotionally integral than they actually are, especially toward the finale, but they still add flavor to the story.
There are also new Lynx characters who play an important role in one of the storylines, and while I won’t spoil anything, I found those moments engaging as well.
Narratively, the one place where the film stumbles a bit is in doing something that a lot of sequels do. It tries to revisit the idea that Judy and Nick might not be able to work together because of their differences. Since the first film already dealt with that conflict, seeing it again feels a little redundant. It doesn’t ruin the movie, and it leads to heartfelt moments, but it does feel familiar.
By the end, I still prefer the original Zootopia, which to me is close to perfect. But Zootopia 2 is a blast. It’s fun, heartfelt, visually rich, and full of charming moments, references, and surprises. It has a great score, great humor, and several emotional beats that really land. There is even a surprising reference to a popular horror film toward the end that caught me off guard in a funny way.
All in all, Zootopia 2 is one of the best animated films of 2025. It’s a worthy sequel that expands the world in interesting ways, brings back everything fans loved, and delivers a visually captivating and emotionally satisfying experience.
Rating: 8.5/10