Zootopia 2 is back with a twist, and it delivers one. The sequel picks up a year after the events of the first film, with rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde still figuring out how to work together. This time, a pit viper named Gary De’Snake crashes the Zootennial Gala and sets off a chain of events that puts Judy and Nick on the run, framed for attacking Chief Bogo.
The film runs 108 minutes and carries a tagline promising a “twissst.” That promise holds up. The story sends Judy and Nick to unexpected new parts of town, testing their partnership like never before. The result is a buddy cop comedy that leans harder into action and mystery than its predecessor, and it mostly lands.
Trailer, via Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Gary De’Snake Arrives
Gary De’Snake is the driving force of the plot. He crashes the Zootennial Gala, reveals himself as a pit viper, and kidnaps Milton Lynxley, the grandson of Ebenezer Lynxley, who founded Zootopia. His goal is simple: he wants to unlock a digitally locked glass case containing an old journal that documents the creation of the weather walls that regulate Zootopia’s climate zones.
The setup is clever. A pit viper, unseen in Zootopia for a century, shows up at a gala celebrating the city’s centennial anniversary. It is the kind of twist that feels earned rather than forced. The film spends time building the stakes before unleashing Gary, and that patience pays off.
Judy finds a piece of snake skin during a raid on a smuggling ring, which gives her the suspicion that a snake will appear at the gala. That prediction comes true within minutes of the viper’s arrival. The timing is sharp, and the film rewards viewers who pay attention to its early clues.
The Lynxley Family’s Betrayal
The gala sequence is where the film does its best work. Judy and Nick infiltrate the event, and Judy befriends Pawbert Lynxley, the youngest son and the black sheep of the Lynxley family. Pawbert’s presence adds texture to the proceedings, giving the gala a human touch amid the chaos.
When Gary confesses that the journal contains evidence to exonerate his family, Milton demands the journal be burned and the viper killed. Judy refuses, setting the room ablaze. That refusal sets the stage for the film’s central conflict: the Lynxleys frame Judy and Nick for the crime, forcing them to escape with the journal while an unknown motorcyclist retrieves the viper.
The betrayal is swift and effective. One minute the Lynxleys are hosting a gala, and the next they are orchestrating a cover-up. The film does not waste time on exposition; it cuts to the chase and lets the audience figure out who to trust.
Fugitives in Marsh Market
Once Judy and Nick are fugitives, they meet Nibbles Maplestick, a conspiracy theorist beaver who leads them to Marsh Market, a secluded area of Zootopia where reptiles hide. There, a basilisk named Jesús explains that the reptiles are hiding from the city’s authorities.
This section is where the film’s world-building shines. Marsh Market is a distinct corner of Zootopia that feels fully realized, with its own rules and residents. The basilisk’s explanation ties the reptiles to the broader narrative, giving their presence a purpose beyond simple spectacle.
The journey through Marsh Market tests Judy and Nick’s partnership in ways the first film did not. They are on the run, wanted by the police, and navigating a neighborhood they barely understand. The tension is palpable, and the animation carries the weight of their situation.
Voice Cast Carries the Weight
The voice cast is strong across the board. Ginnifer Goodwin returns as Judy Hopps, and Jason Bateman returns as Nick Wilde. Ke Huy Quan joins the series as Gary De’Snake, Fortune Feimster voices Nibbles Maplestick, Andy Samberg voices Pawbert Lynxley, David Strathairn voices Milton Lynxley, Idris Elba voices Chief Bogo, Shakira voices Gazelle, Patrick Warburton voices Mayor Winddancer, Quinta Brunson voices Dr. Fuzzby, Danny Trejo voices Jesús, and Nate Torrence voices Clawhauser.
The returning actors bring their chemistry back intact. Goodwin and Bateman have a rapport that makes their arguments feel like genuine friction rather than scripted tension. Their scenes together are the film’s emotional core, and nothing else competes with them.
Shakira’s Gazelle gets a smaller role than in the first film, but her presence remains notable. Idris Elba’s Bogo continues to be a stern presence, and Quinta Brunson’s Dr. Fuzzby adds a layer of absurdity that fits the film’s tone. The newcomers all hold their own, with Ke Huy Quan’s Gary De’Snake standing out as a memorable villain.
Critical Reception and Box Office
The film premiered at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles on November 13, 2025, and was released in the United States on November 26. It grossed $1.87 billion worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time, the ninth-highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release, and the second-highest-grossing film of 2025.
Critically, the film received positive reviews. It won Best Animated Feature at the 79th British Academy Film Awards and was nominated in the same category at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards, and the 98th Academy Awards. The accolades reflect the film’s quality, though they do not determine the score we assign.
| Award | Result |
|---|---|
| Best Animated Feature, BAFTA | Won |
| Best Animated Feature, Golden Globes | Nominated |
| Best Animated Feature, Critics’ Choice Awards | Nominated |
| Best Animated Feature, Academy Awards | Nominated |
The box office numbers are impressive, but they tell us more about marketing than about the film itself. A sequel to a beloved property benefits from built-in audiences, and Zootopia 2 clearly capitalized on that.
Where It Falls Short
The film is not perfect. Some of the humor leans on jokes that repeat the first film’s gags rather than finding fresh territory. The pacing sags in the middle stretch, where the chase through Marsh Market could have been tighter. And the climax, while satisfying, feels slightly rushed, resolving the conflict in a way that feels convenient rather than earned.
The film also plays with expectations around its title. In some markets, it is titled Zootropolis 2, which is a subtle nod to the first film’s original title. That detail is small, but it shows the filmmakers paying attention to continuity.
A Sequel Worth Watching
Zootopia 2 succeeds because it respects its characters and its world. The story takes risks, sends the protagonists on a wild ride, and asks them to confront a conspiracy that shakes the foundations of their city. The result is a film that is smarter and more confident than its predecessor, even if it stumbles in a few spots along the way.
The animation is sharp, the voice acting is superb, and the plot is engaging enough to keep viewers invested from start to finish. It is a sequel that honors its legacy while moving forward.
Zootopia 2 earns a 7.3 out of 10.
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