Zootopia 2 is a lot like its predecessor. The description of the plot and themes of both are essentially identical. In each movie, unlikely partners Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps must overcome their differences to solve a case that threatens to rip their city apart. Many citizens are worried for their safety from a threat seemingly posed by a group they naturally fear. In the end, a compelling mystery and interesting setting provides the framework for a funny, heartfelt story about treating each other with respect, because the things that make us different pale in comparison to the things that make us all the same.
Like I said, pretty much the same. And like the 2016 original, it works. Because while Zootopia 2 does tread familiar ground, it does so in a way that’s entertaining and moving enough to make it a worthy sequel.
One way Zootopia 2 keeps from feeling stale is the introduction of great new characters and places. The plot revolves around a planned expansion of the city that will destroy an area where society’s outsiders reside. That is suddenly thrown into doubt when a snake named Gary (voiced by a perfect, wonderful Ke Huy Quan) shows up. He steals an important historical document during a big celebration, kicking off the film’s main conflict. Gary is also the first reptile to publicly appear within the city’s limits in 100 years. But when Judy and Nick catch him, Gary swears he’s not the bad guy.
Judy and Nick’s dangerous investigation, which is genuinely interesting, then leads them to a new character played by Fortune Feimster. She voices a delightful conspiracy beaver podcaster, Nibbles. Along the way Judy and Nick also encounter Andy Samberg’s Pawbert, the blacksheep member of the powerful Lynxley clan. The lynxes grandfather was the city’s founder. They are also the ones Gary stole the important book from. The film also features Patrick Warburton as a horse action star turned politician, Mayor Winddancer. He is visually the funniest character yet in the franchise. He’s also outright funny on his own. And there’s also a great sequence featuring Danny Trejos as a cool lizard. I loved all of them.
The story, new additions, and absurd animal puns (that keep working even when they shouldn’t) help the movie feels like a new entry even though its so similar to the original. But it’s not perfect. Zootopia 2‘s biggest problems are pretty obvious. For one, it has way too many references and callbacks to the first film. Worse is that starts off slowly. The first half isn’t nearly as funny or engaging as the excellent second half, which is really fantastic.
Nick and Judy’s “problem” as a police duo doesn’t make sense, either. It doesn’t feel authentic considering how the last film ended. It comes across as a convenient, illogical, forced way to add some needed tension. It’s very much a case of where what we are seeing happen does not match what we’re told is happening. (Kids won’t care or notice, though.)
The good news is the ending of Judy and Nick’s personal story justifies its existence. (Also good is that Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin are excellent yet again.) The script has a good idea about why these two would have still have a problem to overcome, yet leaves all of the development of that idea until the last possible second. Yes, it’s weird and confusing, but the payoff is good. It’s emotional and effective. As is the ending to the film’s main plot about the reptiles history with Zootopia. That mystery makes the city itself a far more interesting and rounded place than it was in the first film.
Zootopia 2 essentially follows the same path as it did in 2016, but it still runs a winning race. Because even though starts off slow, once this familiar feeling sequel hits it stride it takes off like a sloth in a sports car.
Zootopia 2 comes to theaters on November 26, 2025.