Zootopia 2: Everything you need to know about Zootopia before the billion-dollar sequel arrives

This week, on November 26, 2025, Walt Disney Animation Studios' Zootopia 2 will be released, bringing audiences back to the lively, anthropomorphic city. Nearly a decade after the original captivated global audiences, here's a comprehensive look at the 2016 film and all critical details concerning the sequel and franchise expansion.

Zootopia premise

Zootopia is an animated buddy police comedy that created a complex world where predatory and prey mammals coexist in a metropolis of the same name. The 2016 film marked the beginning of a new Disney flagship brand and was critically and commercially acclaimed.

Jared Bush and Phil Johnston penned the screenplay, while Byron Howard and Rich Moore served as directors. The story centres on Judy Hopps, a rabbit with an unwavering optimism and a determination to become the first bunny police officer in the history of the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD). The cryptic disappearances of predators who have strangely reverted to a "savage" state prompt her to join forces with Nick Wilde, a fox who is both cynical and a scam artist.

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Critical reception and voice cast

An integral part of the film's charm was the connection between Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, who voiced Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, respectively. Shakira played pop diva Gazelle, Nate Torrence played Officer Clawhauser, Jenny Slate played the wicked Assistant Mayor Dawn Bellwether, and Idris Elba played Chief Bogo. Critical acclaim was bestowed upon the film for its expert animation, nuanced humour, and relevant issues of implicit bias, social prejudice, and the political use of fear. The American Film Institute ranked it among 2016's best ten films, and it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The film's global earnings of over $1 billion solidified its position as a smash hit.

The success of the first film assured the continuation of the Zootopia world. Various biomes and species interactions are explored in the franchise, which is based on anthropomorphic animals living in a complicated metropolitan environment.

Zootopia+

In 2022, the animated short series Zootopia+ debuted on Disney+, marking the first expansion. The show proved the universe could support stories outside of Judy and Nick's by shifting focus to the backstories and parallel adventures of fan-favourite supporting characters like the crime boss Mr. Big and the unexpectedly fast-paced Flash the Sloth.

After having its global debut on November 13, 2025, at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, the new feature Zootopia 2 will hit theatres on November 26, 2025. Returning from his roles as both writer and co-director in the first film, Jared Bush together with Byron Howard takes the reins in the sequel. Producer Yvett Merino is on board.

Zootopia 2 central characters and new additions

After becoming official partners at the ZPD, Ginnifer Goodwin's Judy Hopps and Jason Bateman's Nick Wilde are back in the plot. Dr Fuzzby, a quokka voiced by newcomer Quinta Brunson, adds a comic touch to the story by suggesting that the characters attend therapy sessions due to their contrasting personalities and developing relationship.

Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan voices the reptilian resident Gary De'Snake, whose presence sets in motion the main plot. Since reptiles are so out of place in the city that is mostly inhabited by mammals, Gary's arrival causes quite a stir and eventually leads to a complicated situation. The two must go underground and explore surprising, previously undiscovered areas of Zootopia, including what appears to be a marsh area inhabited by semi-aquatic animals, in order to find this reptile visitor. A hidden intrigue surrounding the city's founding and the historical marginalisation of reptiles, as well as an old journal, swiftly turns the research into a high-stakes mystery.

Expanded voice cast

A slew of new voice actors, including Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, and Patrick Warburton, join the returning core group of Goodwin, Bateman, Idris Elba, and Shakira.

Critics have been very kind to the sequel thus far, describing it as "terrific", "hilarious", and "a wildly smart sequel" in the wake of the premiere. Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics calling it a "joyful, organic evolution of the original" that amps up the buddy-cop action while also providing more biting comedy and relevant social commentary. The film's wholesome, forthright depiction of the complexities of trust and collaboration has earned it widespread acclaim.

Box office projections

During the lucrative five-day Thanksgiving weekend in the US, Zootopia 2 is commercially positioned for a major holiday run. Some estimates put the five-day gross between $125 million and $160 million, suggesting a huge domestic debut, according to box office specialists. The film is reportedly doing better than any other Hollywood animated film released after the pandemic in terms of pre-sales internationally, with China leading the pack. This bodes well for the sequel's chances of matching the original's $1 billion global box office performance.

FAQs:

Q: When is the Zootopia 2 release date?

A: The theatrical release date for Zootopia 2 is November 26, 2025. It is strategically positioned for the lucrative five-day Thanksgiving weekend in the United States.

Q: Who is in the voice cast for Zootopia 2?

A: The core cast returns with Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps and Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde. New additions include Ke Huy Quan as Gary De'Snake and Quinta Brunson as Dr. Fuzzby, a quokka therapist. Returning cast members include Idris Elba and Shakira.

Q: Who are the new characters in Zootopia 2?

A: Key new characters include Dr. Fuzzby, a quokka therapist voiced by Quinta Brunson, and Gary De'Snake, a mysterious reptilian character voiced by Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan, whose presence disrupts the mammal-centric city.