Zootopia 2 (2025)

Zootopia 2 is exactly what sequels need to be—a movie that adds on to the original while still being enough to stand on its own. As of late—see my review on Wish for a more extensive take—Disney films have fallen short on the writing aspect, especially in terms of movies in preexisting worlds. Zootopia 2, however, is a phenomenal exception to this.

Zootopia 2 takes place one week after Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) officially become partners in the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD). Initially, as rookies, they are asked to observe a case—instead, Judy decides to solve the case themselves and pulls Nick along. Due to their mismatched personalities, the case goes horribly wrong—leading to them destroying many parts of the city. As a result, Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) to pull them aside and threatens to split the duo if they do not resolve the conflicts between them. Judy tries to show Bogo the shedded snake skin she’d found during the cause, but nobody believes her due to the fact that snakes haven’t been in Zootopia for 100 years. While studying the book she’d been given in resolving their partnership conflicts, Judy gets distracted by clues that lead her to believe that the snake might be smuggled to the Zootenial Gala—a party celebrating the city’s 100th anniversary—to steal the journal of Ebenezer Lynxley, and once again pulls Nick along to help her investigate. While scouting, Judy meets and befriends Pawbert Lyxnley (Andy Samberg)—the awkward youngest member of the Lynxley family.

Their plan at the gala goes awry after they discover that Judy’s hunch had been correct. As they are found out, Nick manages to point out a hooded figure on the chandelier, who drops down onto the stage and reveals themselves to be a pit viper named Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan). As guests panic, Gary grabs Milton (David Strathairn)—the oldest member of the Lyxnleys—and the journal and flees. Judy manages to corner Gary, but hesitates when Gary pleads with her—telling her that snakes are not bad animals, and that the journal proves their innocence. Nick rushes in, knocking Gary out, and Milton demands that they kill the snake and destroy the journal. However, when Judy and Nick hesitate, Milton frames them—claiming that Judy and Nick were aiding the snake. Gary wakes up, and in the ensuing chaos he accidentally bites Bogo—Judy pulls the fang out of him, but as she does so it causes witnesses to believe Milton’s lie. They all jump out of the nearby window to flee—an unknown someone on a motorcycle helping Gary escape while Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche)—a crime boss and friend from the first Zootopia—aids Judy and Nick.