The Sequel of the Year: Zootopia 2 Review
It’s been nine years since Zootopia was first released. In that time, there have been three Olympic games, three historic Presidential elections, a pandemic, and two World Cups.The world is an extremely different place now than what it was when I was seven, yet Zootopia 2 (2025) managed to make me feel like a kid again. Zootopia 2 is absolutely, without a doubt, worth watching numerous times.
When Zootopia came out, many looked at it as another cute Disney movie with some talking (and some singing) cute, fluffy animals. A solid movie with an enthralling plot, it made just over 1 billion dollars. However, the children who first saw that film are now teenagers and adults, and Zootopia 2 would come with a challenge: How do they keep that audience engaged while still appealing to the younger generation?
Released in the midst of a political and social crisis, Zootopia 2 addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time – immigration, power consolidation, and variances of love – masterfully done so with adorable animals and catchy songs.
The first reason to watch is that the movie addresses sensitive topics in an engaging way.
In the first movie, Zootopia is seen as a perfect place where everyone belongs. In Zootopia 2, the audience becomes aware that the reptiles have been shunned, forced into hideouts and restricted areas. Throughout the movie, Nick and Judy begin to question the reasons for the reptiles being pushed out. The plot thickens when Judy decides that the separation is unfair and goes on an adventure to bring the reptiles back to Zootopia.
While watching, it feels oddly parallel to conversations about immigration and deportation that are currently facing the United States. There’s also a clear consolidation and abuse of power within Zootopia. A family of lynxes has taken control of the Lynxley Journal, an old book with the plans for building Zootopia. Through lies and deceit, the family is able to control the citizens of Zootopia and cover up their sordid past all while keeping that power within the lynx bloodline.
Not everything about this movie was perfect. It is repetitive; the plot twist is exactly the same.
What could be worse than being betrayed by someone you love? The first movie perfectly executed this plot twist, breaking hearts across the nation. With its success in the first movie, I was ready for another crazy twist with tons of Disney creativity. Unfortunately, it was exactly the same, almost to a tee. While I don’t think it took anything away from the movie, it definitely didn’t add anything and I wish something different would’ve been used.
In terms of an animated movie, the cast is star-studded with celebrities both my younger sister and grandma alike could recognize” Robert Irwin, Ed Sheeran, Amanda Gorman, and so many others.
Disney is famous for its Easter eggs, and man, are there a lot of them! Keep your eyes peeled for familiar faces like Ratatoille. The attention to detail with human adjacent products in this movie is very impressive. There’s a music festival called “Burning Mammal” (Burning Man) and Judy’s phone carrier is “PB&J” (AT&T). There’s a scene that is reminiscent of The Shining and scenes referencing past Disney movies. It’s fun to see if you can spot them.
There has never been an animated movie that is more relevant to our times than Zootopia 2. It has something for everybody. Politics? Sure thing. Fast paced action? Yup. Tear-jerking scenes? Got it. Laugh out loud jokes? Absolutely. I’d recommend this movie to anyone who wants to get cozy and relax with their family or friends for a few hours.
