For a city where “anybody can be anything,” Zootopia has never been home to a reptile. This omission brings back the central question that made the original “Zootopia” so compelling: who gets excluded from a society that claims to accept everyone?
With Disney rolling out an endless stream of new franchises in recent years, we’ve grown tired of their futile efforts to recreate the childhood magic and heartfelt charm we adored as kids. With the premiere of “Zootopia 2” on Nov. 26, 2025, however, Disney has brought back the joy of music and friendships to perfectly expand its animal city.
Amid a period of boredom in the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD), officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) disobeys orders and discovers a sliver of snake skin, evidence of a species driven out of Zootopia long ago due to the city’s prejudice toward reptiles. Judy and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) piece together the mystery of the reptiles’ exile along with Gary De’Snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), a surprisingly charming snake who challenges the duo’s preconceptions about reptiles. Eventually, Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), a known conspiracy theorist of old city architecture and snakes, leads them even deeper into the mystery.
Throughout “Zootopia 2,” Judy and Nick’s relationship is tested, and they are forced to strengthen their partnership through mundane tasks, one of which is mandatory therapy, assigned by Police Chief Bogo (voiced by Idris Elba). They tackle Judy’s overwhelming ego and Nick’s Type B negligence. Ironically, the pair’s breakthrough comes not from therapy, but from a forced, honest confrontation that builds upon the focus on relationship from the first movie.
Unfortunately, the characters experience limited character development during the movie. While the present arcs are compelling, many feel rushed or are too easily resolved. Judy’s character doesn’t feel developed enough as she is pegged from the start as a selfish partner, when she strands Nick, who is ultimately captured. Despite not always thinking of him, she turns out to be the main source of hope for the city and always considers every animal’s life, displaying selflessness.
Although the plot is meaningful and makes multiple real-world critiques of redlining and systemic discrimination, heavy plot armor carries the characters to success, detracting from the overall narrative. Multiple scenes depict epic, unrealistic last-minute saves by supporting characters. While plot twists are certainly thrilling, at times they are so unbelievably convenient that they distract from the movie’s immersiveness.
Still, the writers make some jokes to keep the older audience engaged. While Judy and Gary search for the lighthouse, they run through Burning Mammal, a play on the Burning Man festival, and enter a tent with Gazelle (voiced by Shakira) and her five tiger bodyguards, leaving enough ambiguity for both parents and kids to be entertained. In this way, Disney continues to implement their classic nods to pop culture.
Beyond resolving its own story, the film clearly has its eye on the future, dropping a subtle Easter egg that hints at another omitted species that may be featured in “P@Rt3.”
In the end, “Zootopia 2” succeeds not only because it perfectly balances realism and fantasy, but because it expands the world it created nearly a decade ago. By confronting Zootopia’s hidden history and challenging the idea that peace can exist without accountability, the film reminds every audience member that progress requires reflection, not denial. Despite the occasional conveniences and uneven character growth, “Zootopia 2” delivers a continuation of its story that feels relevant to today’s world. More importantly, this sequel suggests that even amid an oversaturated franchise landscape, Disney has maintained the meaningful storytelling that has long made children feel like anyone, or any animal, can belong.
