“Zootopia 2” is Disney’s Best in Years (Movie Review)

Zootopia 2 is dominating the box office both domestically and internationally, and it’s easy to understand why. Disney has locked in a reliable money-making formula over the past few years: drop a sequel to a beloved original film a decade later and watch the profits roll in. We’ve already seen this play out with Inside Out 2 and Moana 2, making Zootopia 2 feel, at least from a marketing perspective, like another predictable entry in the lineup. I wasn’t excited going in — I found those previous sequels to be limp retreads of far better originals, so my expectations were low.

But to my genuine surprise, Zootopia 2 isn’t just a worthwhile sequel — it’s the strongest film Disney Animation has released in almost a decade.

TOP FIVE THINGS ABOUT “ZOOTOPIA 2”

5. The Gags

From an early scene where Jason Bateman’s Nick Wilde zeroes in on a perfectly delivered, “A viper… a vindshiled viper, yah?,” I knew Zootopia 2 had its comedic instincts firmly in place. The first movie is packed with genuinely hilarious moments — real, out-loud belly laughs woven between emotional gut punches — and the sequel wisely follows that same blueprint, delivering standout gags of its own.

I don’t want this to devolve into a list of “here are my favorite jokes,” but it’s impossible not to shout out the Bella Notte scene and the Shining homage. Both had me laughing way harder than is socially acceptable for an early-morning showing. The comedy hits consistently, the timing is sharp, and the entire cast brings their A-game, resulting in some truly memorable comedic moments throughout the film.

4. The Story and Themes

The first Zootopia arrived in March 2016, just months before Donald Trump’s presidency began, and it remains very much a product of a pre-Trump cultural moment — one where Disney was surprisingly willing to engage with sharp, forward-thinking social commentary. Because of that, I was deeply skeptical when Zootopia 2 was announced. In recent years, Disney has gone out of its way to avoid anything that even resembles political messaging, and the company has openly capitulated to Trump-aligned pressure campaigns and broader cultural narratives.

With all that in mind, I was genuinely shocked to discover that Zootopia 2 not only continues the original film’s story in ways that feel organic and thoughtfully developed, but also engages with another socially relevant theme through a clever allegorical lens. Jared Bush’s script is impressively sharp — balancing a tightly constructed piece of detective storytelling with meaningful commentary that never feels forced.

3. The Setpieces

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 delivers some of the most thrilling action set pieces to hit theaters this year — an unexpected but incredibly welcome surprise. The first film already proved the team could balance energy, clarity, and emotional stakes, but the sequel pushes that even further, leaning into more imaginative, sometimes outright lunatic visual spectacle. What makes these moments land so effectively is how deeply they’re tied to the evolving relationship between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The film uses action not as empty flash, but as an extension of their dynamic, their trust, and the tension that drives the story forward.

The result is a series of set pieces that feel both exhilarating and unexpectedly moving. Animation is capable of housing pure, unfiltered visual insanity, yet it’s rare to see it executed with this level of confidence and precision. The Marsh Market chase, in particular, is downright wild — a burst of creativity and momentum that showcases just how inventive this film can be while still serving character and narrative at every turn.

2. Nick and Judy

One of the standout strengths of the original Zootopia was the undeniable chemistry between Jason Bateman’s Nick Wilde and Ginnifer Goodwin’s Judy Hopps. The sequel wisely doubles down on that dynamic, giving both characters — and both performers — the space to evolve in meaningful, emotionally resonant ways. While the film stops just short of fully validating years’ worth of fan-made “WildeHopps” romance theories, it still manages to deliver a relationship arc that feels deeply satisfying and surprisingly intimate.

From the outset, Zootopia 2 signals its intentions. The film opens with Nick and Judy in what is essentially a professional couple’s therapy session, setting the stage for a story that explores not only their partnership but the emotional complexities beneath it. By the time the film closes with the two sharing vulnerabilities and clearing the air on a balcony at sunset, it’s clear the sequel is not just a mystery or an action-comedy — it’s also a romance. More importantly, it’s a romance that respects the characters’ history while giving them room to genuinely grow, both individually and together.

1. A Worthy Follow-Up

Overall, as I’m sure you can tell, I’m genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed Zootopia 2. In recent years, Disney Animation’s output hasn’t exactly won me over, and I walked into this expecting another lukewarm sequel riding on nostalgia. Instead, what I got was a follow-up that not only lives up to the original, but expands its world and themes in ways that feel meaningful, smart, and fully earned.

It’s nice to walk into a movie ready to be disappointed… and walk out impressed.

RGM GRADE

(B+)

Good stuff! Really liked it, and would love to believe that this will help Disney realize that quality over quantity makes a big difference. Seeing the trailer for the live-action Moana and then seeing this is complete tonal whiplash: one is clearly being made as a cookie-cutter product, and the other is a surprisingly authentic and honest artistic expression full of great gags, compelling action, and wonderful character moments. Zootopia 2 is a real movie, not just the latest slop generated for consumption on Disney+, and that genuinely makes all the difference in the world.