Through a film filled with anticipation, jaw dropping plot twists, hidden adult jokes, and long awaited character connections, Disney’s Zootopia 2 was a record breaking success. The sequel dropped in late 2025, pulling tens of millions of viewers worldwide, collecting $1.6+ billion dollars and making it Disney’s highest grossing film. The original Zootopia movie was launched in 2016 and immediately became a smash success. Caitlin Sallee, sophomore, says, “At first, Zootopia was just a random movie, but then I became emotionally attached.” Many fans call the film their favorite childhood movie. Zootopia has over 745 million streams, and is a frequent flyer on Disney+ most watched movies of the week. It stands at 5th for fan favorites, and the nine year break between the first and second animated films drove interest and anticipation among fans.
Zootopia 2 follows the still beloved characters from the debut film, a highly competitive and intelligent bunny cop, Judy Hopps, who, by solving crime with her partner, Nick Wilde, strives to make the world a better place. Nick is a snarky ex-con who helped Judy save the city in the initial film. The pair learns to navigate the harsh road of partnership, embark upon the difficulties of making a name for themselves, and deal with the real world problems of navigating friendships, corruption, and the workforce. Zootopia 2 is such an advanced film because of the real world scenarios and circumstances adapted into a movie for a younger audience. “Zootopia 2 tied in themes of love, family, and having somebody that you can rely on,” states Sallee. One of the main reasons Zootopia 2 was such a groundbreaking success was also because of the deeper character development we saw in the film. Sallee also adds, “We got to watch Nick change into a better person, and Judy gain a lot of confidence ” While many sequels don’t reach the audience quite like the original, Zootopia 2 is unique in the way that the directors seem to have gotten it just right.
The second film explores deeper into the heart of the popular city, Zootopia, and the harmony behind it. New main characters and species are introduced in the second film, such as Garry De’Snake (reptile), and Pawbert Lynxley (mammal). “I didn’t really like the lynx because I didn’t like his motives, but I loved Garry a lot,” Keira Buckley, Sophomore, adds. These characters fueled the film, as the group rushes to help Garry find a way to bring back his family. Through opposing comrades of law, and a crazy guide named Nibbles Maplestick, Judy is fighting not only to help her friend, but to uncover the truth of her world. Sallee says, “There are always really good plot twists, and I thought Zootopia 2’s was actually crazy.” While many other Disney movies do have plot twists, Zootopia’s are almost unmatched. The films are known for its iconic plot twists, for example, Mayor Bellwether being the criminal in the first movie. “Disney is so good at making you trust the characters, and then just flipping them,” Buckley says. Disney’s plot twists are so hard core because not only are you feeling shocked, you are also feeling betrayed along, with the characters themselves.
A third Zootopia movie was teased in the extra credit scene of the movie, but no news on dates or filming has been released. The fame around the franchise pulled fans from seven years old to fifty. “Going into the theater, I didn’t think it would be good, because sequels generally aren’t that good, but it was very solid and one of Disney’s best sequels.” Buckley tells. Zootopia 2 overtook Wicked: For Good in the first week in theaters, and left fans wanting more. While everyone had hoped to see Judy and Nick end up together in the second film, the producers of Disney’s Zootopia have left us on the edge of our seats.
