A buddy cop adventure
Zootropolis 2 breaks box office records, with the highest global animated opening of all time.
Nearly a decade after the Oscar-winning original became a billion-dollar sensation, Zootropolis 2 proves that Disney Animation can still deliver a sequel as nuanced as the first one. Rather than retreading the same narrative ground, the sequel expands the city, its species, and its emotional core, proving that this franchise still has plenty to say. Released on 28th November, it has already gathered over $559 million worldwide with a budget of $150 million.
Nick and Judy
Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), the energetic bunny cop, and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman), the jaded fox con-artist turned cop, remains one of animation’s most charming duos. This time, both animals return as police officers trying to navigate their new partnership at the ZPD. Their relationship deepens throughout the film, which can sometimes be portrayed as cringe but nevertheless hilarious and painful at the same time. As they navigate miscommunication, mismatched expectations, and a therapy-mandated trip to Dr. Fuzzby, an adorable quokka with impeccable comedic timing, the audience is inevitably drawn into their dynamic. If the first film was about forming a friendship, the second is about understanding what sustaining one truly demands.
It reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this world in the first place.
Old and new characters
Other supporting characters from the first film reappear, like Flash Slothmore, who is a three-toed sloth that was loved for his scene at the DMV. Ke Huy Quan’s Gary De’Snake is the standout addition: a perfect balance of vulnerability, comedy, and unexpected sweetness. His animation alone is a technical marvel, with his body covered in thousands of individually sculpted scales that move dynamically.
Zootropolis 2 is a joyful, visually stunning, and surprisingly heartfelt adventure that reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this world in the first place.
Fun facts about Zootropolis 2
1. While the US film is originally called Zootopia, Disney chose the name Zootropolis for the UK, Europe, and some other regions due to trademark and branding issues. In Germany, a children’s book with the name “Zootropolis” led to it being called Zoomania instead.
2. Gary’s design and animation draw on the legacy of Disney’s iconic serpents, taking inspiration from characters like Kaa in The Jungle Book, Sir Hiss in Robin Hood, and Juju in The Princess and the Frog.
3. In this film, Disney unveiled a new original song, “Zoo,” performed by Shakira, who reprises her role as Gazelle – the city’s biggest pop star. The track follows in the footsteps of her 2016 hit song “Try Everything” from the first film.
4. Altogether, the film showcases 178 distinct characters across 67 species, brought to life by a voice cast of 71 performers.
