By Jon Scarr
Zootopia 2 brings Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde back into the spotlight, and it feels good to return to this world. Disney Animation hasn’t revisited many of its modern films with theatrical sequels, so seeing this one hit the big screen again gives it a bit of extra weight. The first movie blended mystery, humour and a smart look at its world, and this sequel tries to pick up that thread without losing the energy that made the original click.
The new story starts not long after the last movie. Judy and Nick are still adjusting to life as official partners, which sets the stage for a new case that pulls them into another corner of the city. You can feel the movie pushing to grow the world, and most of that works. New locations and a bigger mix of animals keep things lively. I found myself smiling at how much the animators packed into the background, especially during scenes that introduce the newer neighbourhoods.
What stands out most, though, is the chemistry between Judy and Nick. Their back-and-forth still carries the movie, and the sequel leans on that charm in a comfortable way. Zootopia has always worked best when the characters drive the story, and the sequel follows that same path. It doesn’t reinvent everything, but it brings enough heart and personality to make the return feel worthwhile.
A New Case for Judy and Nick
Zootopia 2 picks up not long after the first film, and it wastes no time dropping Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde into another case that pushes their partnership in new directions. The setup keeps things familiar at first. Judy throws herself into every assignment with that same wide-eyed determination, and Nick plays it cool while trying to keep up with her pace. It’s a fun contrast, and the movie leans into that dynamic as the foundation for everything that follows.
The story kicks into motion when a mysterious snake named Gary shows up in the middle of Zootopia’s big Zootennial celebration. Snakes haven’t been seen in the city for generations, so his arrival sends every part of the city buzzing. Gary’s reasons for returning become the heart of the mystery, and the movie ties his past to secrets Zootopia has been sitting on for years. It’s a straightforward hook, but it sets up a clean path for Judy and Nick to follow.
Most of the early fun comes from watching the two chase leads through different corners of the city. Their mix of instinct and improvisation gives each scene some personality, even before the bigger twists start landing. I found myself smiling when the first unusual clue popped up, partly because it reminded me of how much charm their partnership had in the original. The movie doesn’t push the mystery too hard here, and that works. It gives Judy and Nick room to argue, reconcile, and figure things out in their own messy way.
Overall, the opening stretch sets the tone well. It keeps the world familiar, adds a few new threads, and lets the characters drive the story without over complicating things.
Where the Sequel Finds Its Rhythm
Zootopia 2 brings back Jared Bush and Byron Howard, and you can feel that familiarity in how the story moves. They lean on the structure of the first film pretty heavily, sometimes a bit too closely, but there’s a confidence in the way they revisit those beats. The mystery itself is straightforward, and I noticed early on that it wasn’t aiming for the same level of surprise. Even so, the script keeps things clicking along with enough twists to stay fun. I caught myself comparing it to the original while watching, which isn’t a bad thing, but the sequel never quite reaches that spark the first film had with its bigger social swings.
The pacing takes a little time to settle in. The opening stretch throws a lot at you with jokes, quick character beats, and world-building stacked together. Once the story shifts toward the investigation, it finds a better rhythm. The film has a few slower pockets where you feel the sequel tendencies creeping in, though. Still, it doesn’t drag, and most scenes land well enough to carry the momentum to the next clue or character moment.
Bush and Howard know these characters, and that’s what saves some of the uneven stretches. Their approach focuses on Judy and Nick’s bond, letting the writing highlight where they clash and where they still need to grow. It doesn’t hit every high it’s aiming for, but the direction makes sure their partnership stays at the centre of everything, which gives the sequel a steady pulse even when the writing gets familiar.
Voices That Bring the Story to Life
Zootopia 2 works as well as it does because the cast understands the tone of this world. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman slip back into Judy and Nick like they never left, and that familiarity helps the film stay grounded even when the story branches into bigger territory. Their rhythm feels natural, especially during the smaller moments where their partnership is tested. I noticed how their delivery carries the weight of both characters growing, not just repeating beats from the first movie. It gives their scenes a warmer edge.
Ke Huy Quan brings a gentler tone as Gary, and his voice work adds a softness to a character the city has already judged before meeting him. The approach fits the story’s message, and it makes Gary easy to care about. Fortune Feimster and Andy Samberg each bring energy to their roles, and their scenes help the movie keep a lighter pace when the plot tightens. Samberg’s take on Pawbert fits well with the film’s focus on uncovering long-buried truths, and Feimster gives Nibbles Maplestick an offbeat charm that sticks with you longer than expected.
By the time the story reaches its later turns, the cast feels fully locked into the emotional side of the movie. Their delivery keeps the story moving even when the mystery leans familiar. It’s a strong group overall, and the performances help the sequel hold onto the heart that made the first film so easy to enjoy.
A City That Still Feels Alive
Zootopia has always been one of Disney’s most visually playful worlds, and the sequel keeps that spirit going. The film moves through familiar districts before opening up new ones, and the shift feels natural. Marsh Market, with its winding platforms and damp storefronts, instantly stands out. It’s crowded, messy, and full of small background jokes if you look closely. Even the way the water reflects the neon signs helps sell the idea that this part of the city runs on its own rhythm.
The character animation stays sharp as well. Judy’s ears still do half the acting during her more anxious moments, and Nick’s expressions carry that laid-back confidence he leans on a little too often. The new characters fit right in. Gary’s movement has this smooth, looping motion that plays into how snakes glide around a room, but it never pulls focus away from the scene. You feel the animators having fun with him without turning it into a distraction.
Lighting plays a big role in how the story shifts from playful to tense. The Zootennial Gala scenes glow with cold blues and glass reflections, while the Marsh Market sequences feel warm and humid. It’s small, but these contrasts help each location leave its mark.
There’s a moment where Judy slips on a wet boardwalk and Nick gives that quick “I told you so” smirk. It’s tiny, but it got a smile out of me. Those little touches add personality without trying too hard, and that’s where the movie’s visual style really clicks.
Final Thoughts on Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2 doesn't hit every beat as smoothly as the original, but it still feels like a worthwhile return to this world. The mystery is simpler and a few jokes fall flat, yet the movie holds together because Judy and Nick remain the core of everything. Their partnership gives the story a steady emotional line, especially once the film asks them to be more open about their strengths and flaws.
The sequel repeats some familiar ideas, but it handles them with enough care that they still land. I liked how the movie explored old assumptions and hidden history without leaning too hard on the message. It gives younger viewers something clear to follow, while older audiences get a bit more to chew on. Watching Judy and Nick work through their own habits gives the final stretch more weight than expected.
The world of Zootopia remains lively and full of personality. New locations add fresh details, and the small visual touches make the city feel alive in a way that carries the film even when the story slows down. It feels like a place worth revisiting.
Zootopia 2 may not reach the same level as the first film, but it delivers an enjoyable mix of humour, heart and character work. I finished the movie feeling confident that this series has room to grow if Disney decides to continue it.
Zootopia 2 Review Summary
Liked
+ Judy and Nick’s chemistry still carries the film
+ Strong voice performances across the cast
+ Creative new locations like Marsh Market add personality
+ Visual details and animation touches keep the world lively
Didn’t Like
– Mystery is simpler and less surprising
– Some jokes don’t land as well as the first film
– A few pacing slowdowns during the mid-movie stretch