‘Zootopia 2’Review: Disney’s animated crime caper delivers fun for the little critters

“Zootopia 2” welcomes back to the big screen rookie cops Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman) and introduces Gary De’Snake (voice of Ke Huy Quan).“Zootopia 2” releases in theaters Nov.26.(© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc.All Rights Reserved.)

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Hopps is itching to hop onto a new case — and she has a hunch that something might be afoot at the Zootenial Gala celebrating Zootopia’s 100th year since its founding.Despite reptiles being banished from Zootopia, a blue snake named Gary (Ke Huy Quan) crashes the party to steal a mysterious journal that once belonged to Zootopia’s founder Ebeneezer Lynxley.But an accident will result in Hopps and Wilde hunting down Gary while being hunted by the ZPD as well as the Lynxley family, who desperately want the journal back.

“Zootopia 2” doesn’t break new ground but Walt Disney Animated Studios (not to be confused with Pixar, which released “Elio” earlier this year) has a fruitful franchise on its hands.Fan favorites from the first installment return, like the iconic DMV-working sloth Flash (Raymond S.Persi) and the adorable chunky ZPD dispatcher cheetah Benjamin Clawhauser (Nate Torrence) and we are introduced to new faces like the actor-turned-mayor stallion Brian Winddancer (Patrick Warburton), a conspiracy podcast-hosting beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimister).

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“Zootopia 2” features fan favorites like Flash the sloth (Raymond S.Persi) while introducing new characters like Mayor Winddancer (Patrick Warburton) and Dr.Fuzzby (Quinta Brunson).(© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc.All Rights Reserved)

The voice cast is stacked with A-list talent, many of them making one-line cameos — Andy Sandberg,Shakira, Josh Gad, June Squibb, Danny Trejo, Michael J.� my personal favorite is Quinta Brunson (of “Abbott Elementary” fame) playing Dr.Fuzzby, the mild-mannered quokka therapist leading the struggle session Hopps and Wilde are stuck in.

While it’s obviously geared toward kids, “Zootopia 2” is flooded with cultural references to amuse adults, ranging from “Ratatouille” to “The Shining.”

The creative duo of Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who’ve written and/or directed pastDisneyhits like “Encanto,” the first “Zootopia” and the “Moana” films, clearly have the magic formula to entertain kids and to make the House of Mouse a lot of money. 

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Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman), left, and Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia 2.” (© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc.All Rights Reserved.)

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The Verdict

“Zootopia 2” is a cute, harmless, gorgeously animated film that offers fun for kids and parents alike.Is it a top tier sequel?No — but it doesn’t have to be.So if you take your kids or grandkids out of the house for a couple of hours, “Zootopia 2” might be your best bet at the movie theater this holiday season.Otherwise, you can wait to eventually stream it on Disney+.

★★★ — STREAM IT LATER

“Zootopia 2” is rated PG for action/violence and rude humor.Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes.In theaters November 26, 2025.

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Joseph A.Story tips can be sent to joseph.com and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.