Zootopia 2 (2025)

Normally I am not a fan of sequels to big animated blockbusters. With the rare exception (Toy Story 3) they end up being corporate recycling of the same old ideas but with little to none of the inspirational magic that made the first one so good. Sorry not sorry but churning out an other Minion movie or telling another Shrek story has produced nothing but diminishing returns. The further adventures of Anna and Ilsa or even Moana have just left me cold. I had hopes Zootopia might have the unique sort of narrative structure that could lead to further sequels that didn't feel like cheap copies. The first film is remarkably clever mixing a mystery story and wonderfully developed characters with truly brilliant social commentary. It is detective stories that lend themselves to so well to franchises (there is always another case to solve). So could this be the magic formula for Disney to have lightning strike twice?

I'll start by saying 2 is not as great a movie as 1. But despite that it is quite entertaining, very watchable, filled with new great characters while bringing back some of the previous ones, and once again it's metaphors are on point. This time we tackle gentrification (and the ways that is often tied into xenophobia) in far more sophisticated ways than a film like this should have. So more than other recent Disney sequels Zootopia 2 feels like it justifies its existence and makes for a worth follow up. 

But it doesn't improve on the concept. It's mystery plot points are a little muddled and even simpler than the previous case. The new characters aren't as integrated with the old ones (who are mostly pushed to needless cameos) in very successful ways. It establishes a Zootopia formula when compared with the first (and every franchise needs that to some degree) but doesn't build that out expansively in a way that something like Toy Story 3 did. While the pacing and bread-crumb-laying was quite masterfully done in the first film, this one feels like it's purposefully dragging out the development of its plot so that it isn't wrapped up too quickly.  

But Zootopia 2 does develop the relationship between our main characters quite effectively, picking up from their previous equilibrium to take their relationship to the next level...no not like that. Their friendship and chosen family status is deepened in a lovely, moving way. Bateman and Goodwin continue to make their characters so interesting and likeable. It's hard not to want to see them solve all sort of mysteries. 

Despite this film not reaching the heights of its predecessor, it is the first Disney animated film I've wanted more of a follow up to in a long time. The end of Zootopia 2 teases a possible new story (stick around after the credits) and I'd be down for that. Maybe third time will be the charm and this could make for a pretty satisfying trilogy. 

Zootopia 2

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Idris Elba, Shakira, Patrick Warburton, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake,, Macauley Culkin, Brenda Song, Maurice LaMarche, Leah Latham, Raymond S. Persi, Tommy Chong, Tommy Lister Jr., Danny Trejo, John Lequizamo, June Squibb, Jenny Slate, Alan Tudyk, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ed Sheeran, Robert Irwin, Jean Reno, Dwayne Johnson, Josh Gad, Wilmer Valderrama, Rachel House

Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard

Writer: Jaren Bush