--- title: "Zootopia 2: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/zootopia-2/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/zootopia-2" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Zootopia 2 (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 16 reviews: 13 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it, and the spread is fairly narrow: thirteen positive notices, two mixed, one outright dismissal. The praise clusters on the same things. The pairing of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde is still the reason to watch, and the new snake, Gary De’Snake, is singled out again and again as the best addition. The sight gags, animal puns and the detail of the expanded city draw warm words, and several reviews find the sequel sharper than the original on prejudice, now widened to take in reptiles. The reservations cluster too. The whodunit plot is judged less tight than the 2016 film’s, a few critics find the chases too frantic to follow, and more than one says the story goes through the motions. The AV Club thinks the animation flatter and the film closer to a television episode. The Guardian is the lone dissenter, calling it soulless, formulaic and fit only for background noise. ## RogerEbert.com — Nell Minow Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. Nell Minow calls the film pure delight, every bit as exciting and heartwarming as the original and maybe even funnier. She singles out its gorgeous design and ode to friendship, community, and open-mindedness in a world of diverse animals. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/zootopia-2-movie-review-2025) ## Radio Times — Kevin Harley Rating 4/5. This fast and funny buddy-cop conspiracy romp brims with sight gags, in-jokes and a richly realised world, building on the original with charm, energy and witty genre nods. Predictable twists are offset by a winning lead pairing, pacey chases and deftly handled messages about prejudice. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0y1kp0/zootropolis-2/) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The winning sequel improves on its predecessor by adding deeper layers to its social commentary on prejudice and power. The critic praises the clever visual gags, animal puns, and expanded statement on the dangers of intolerance without sacrificing charm or humor. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/zootopia-2-review/) ## The Independent — Clarisse Loughrey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The critic finds it a fun and witty sequel that improves on the original. They single out the thoughtful reframing of the racism metaphor and the new character Gary De’Snake for praise. [Read the review](https://independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/zootropolis-2-movie-review-b2872048.html) ## The Telegraph Rating 4/5. 25 November 2025. Disney returns to form with this sequel that sticks to the winning formula while adding enough fresh tweaks. The animation, character design and humorous set-pieces stand out as proof of the studio's skill. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/11/25/disney-zootropolis-2-film-review/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 25 November 2025. The critic calls it a bouncy, buoyant and adorably fluffy animated sequel that delivers fun sidekick antics and prejudice-busting teamwork via a venomous but gentle snake character. The plot falls short of the original's noir ingenuity and may confuse younger viewers, but strong voice performances and an imaginative world keep it engaging. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/zootopia-2-review-2025) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2025. The film is funny, zippy, and highly enjoyable with real heart and care behind the central bond. The critic highlights the undeniable interspecies romantic chemistry between the leads as its central theme. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/zootopia-2-review-the-furries-were-right.html) ## Empire — Helen O’Hara Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The critic calls it still a blast to visit but notes it loses sight of its heroes amid the city’s bustle. They single out the visual gags, chases and new additions like Gary for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/zootropolis-2/) ## The AV Club — Caroline Siede Rating B-. 25 November 2025. The sequel feels stagnant and more like a TV show than an epic, with flatter animation and a less focused approach than its predecessor. The critic singles out the fresh, specific subplot about reptile prejudice and erased communities as the one stellar element. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/zootopia-2-review) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The review finds the sequel less nimble than the 2016 original at balancing action, comedy and commentary, with a whodunit plot that fails to engage fully despite the central partnership's emotional payoff. Humour is hit-or-miss, but the heartfelt message about accepting differences should appeal to family audiences. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/zootopia-2-review-jason-bateman-and-ginnifer-goodwin-return-for-underpowered-animated-sequel/5211333.article) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The sequel is a soulless, formulaic family comedy that feels algorithmically generated and corporately approved. It offers a few laughs but lacks heart and soul, suitable mainly as background entertainment for children. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/25/zootropolis-2-review-just-about-passable-family-comedy-sequel-might-as-well-be-ai-generated) ## Financial Times — Jonathan Romney Rating ★★★☆☆. 25 November 2025. The film is a fairly faithful reprise of the original but less sophisticated, with brisk humour and dependable value. Some action is frenetically accelerated and hard to follow. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/523a4c19-7215-41e6-8463-92d14b9ef355) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland 25 November 2025. The long-awaited sequel is a true delight packed with clever jokes and meaningful messages for all ages. The critic praises its pro-equality, anti-racist themes alongside the humor and hopes for a quicker follow-up. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/zootopia-2-disney-movie-review-sequel-1235162027/) ## Los Angeles Times — Carlos Aguilar 25 November 2025. Carlos Aguilar deems it Disney’s most effective animated sequel yet, with a punchier, more focused approach to mature ideas. He singles out the nuanced expressiveness of the animation and the timely exploration of real-world issues like displacement and injustice through the animal lens. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-11-25/zootopia-2-review-disney-animation-jason-bateman-ginnifer-goodwin-ke-huy-quan) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck 25 November 2025. The sequel is well worth the wait and a blast of a buddy-cop movie, full of dazzling visuals, sophisticated humor, and genuine emotion. The critic singles out the steady stream of hysterical gags beautifully orchestrated by the directors. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/zootopia-2-review-jason-bateman-ginnifer-goodwin-disney-1236434563/) ## The Times Rating ★★★★☆. 25 November 2025. This perky and amusing sequel is exuberantly animated and deliciously voiced. Supporting characters and puns provide particular delight in the animal-city mystery. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/zootropolis-2-review-perky-puns-and-colonial-theory-for-kids-jtmd30w8q) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 25 November 2025. Peter Debruge finds it a worthy successor that sustains the franchise’s charms with a reptile-inclusive expansion. He singles out the endearing new character Gary De’Snake and the inventive, detail-packed set pieces and social commentary. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/zootopia-2-review-disney-1236587603/) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating 8/10. 25 November 2025. The critic praises it as a strong sequel that expands the world with new characters and deeper themes of discrimination. Singles out Gary De'Snake as a great new addition and the expanded lore. [Read the review](https://collider.com/zootopia-2-review-disney-jason-bateman-ginnifer-goodwin/) ## /Film — BJ Colangelo Rating 8/10. 25 November 2025. The critic calls it a strong sequel that lives up to the original, an all-time great for Disney and one of the best buddy-cop films in years. They highlight the evolution of Judy and Nick's partnership along with the rich new lands and characters in the expanded world. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/2035824/zootopia-2-movie-review/) ## Polygon — Sam Nelson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The critic notes it tackles tough issues with humor and heart, blending political messaging with gags and visuals. Praises the ambitious moral message and vibrant world, but notes it's not as narratively tight as the original. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/zootopia-2-review-disney/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2025. The sequel is a mostly entertaining expansion of the original's world and themes but does not break new ground. It effectively continues the conversation about bias and inclusion while introducing reptiles into the mix, though one supporting character is singled out as a misfire for peddling conspiracy theories. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/zootopia-2-review-disney/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2025. The critic calls it a serviceable family film that will please kids attached to the characters or drawn to mysteries. They praise the detailed animation and rich world-building but note a lack of passion and find it dull for older viewers. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/zootopia-2-2025-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3 out of 5. 25 November 2025. The critic finds it a solid buddy comedy sequel that excels in the chemistry and banter between Hopps and Wilde, especially in couple-like scenarios, but notes the story feels like more of the same and goes through the motions. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/zootopia-2-review-disney-buddy-comedy/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/zootopia-2.md