Zootopia 2 Release Date, Cast, Plot, Director And More Details

In 2016, audiences were introduced to the adorable cop Judy Hopps and the lovable con man Nick Wilde. A rabbit and a fox forced to work together, Judy and Nick are the heroes of "Zootopia," a Disney tale set in a world where animals live in a massive metropolis and behave a whole lot like people — going to the DMV, listening to Shakira songs, and most importantly, solving crimes.

While pretty much everyone in "Zootopia" is as cute as it gets, that doesn't mean there aren't criminals about, and when animals start mysteriously disappearing, it's up to Judy and Nick to bust open a city-wide conspiracy and save the day. With its beautifully animated world, endearing characters, and timely message of tolerance and understanding, "Zootopia" earned over $1 billion and became the fourth highest-grossing film of 2016.

Needless to say, audiences have long wanted to revisit Zootopia, and in true Disney fashion, it looks like they're getting their wish. Get ready to return to the world of gangster shrews and bureaucratic sloths, and read on for everything you need to know about "Zootopia 2."

In February 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the Mouse House would be releasing sequels to three of its most beloved properties — "Toy Story," "Frozen," and yep, "Zootopia." So when will we return to the world of hilarious anthropomorphic animals? We'll see the return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde on November 26, 2025. That year promises to be a significant one for Disney, with titles like "Snow White," "Elio," "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," and "Avatar: Fire and Ash" all hitting the big screen. In other words, Disney fans should rejoice because 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the studio. 

Aside from the incredible worldbuilding, the main reason the first "Zootopia" worked is the incredible chemistry between buddies Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. And that rat-a-tat back-and-forth was thanks to actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. We can't imagine anyone else voicing the eager rabbit and wily fox, so we're incredibly excited that both actors will reprise these furry heroes.

"Zootopia 2" will also boast an Oscar winner, as Ke Huy Quan will join the animal fold. As a child, Quan delighted audiences in "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," and as an adult, he won the Oscar for best supporting actor thanks to his incredible performance in the critically revered "Everything Everywhere All At Once." Here, he'll be playing a silly-looking snake named Gary, and we're sure Quan will imbue the reptile with the infectious energy the actor is so famous for.

According to the official logline for "Zootopia 2," we'll see "brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps and her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, team up again to crack a new case, the most perilous and intricate of their careers." With Nick now wearing a badge, we know the duo will be searching for a wanted snake by the name of Gary. Their hunt will eventually take them to a new location called Marsh Market, home to animals that love hanging out in the water. Footage at 2024's D23 depicted a beaver with a Southern accent talking with a walrus, hippos getting tattoos, and a number of seals hanging about. Slashfilm reported that Marsh Market "evokes Southern coastal settings such as Alabama or Louisiana. Market Marsh could well be the Zootopian equivalent of New Orleans."

Jared Bush will be writing and directing "Zootopia 2," and while you might not automatically recognize that name, he's been involved in three of Disney's most beloved films in recent memory. Bush wrote and directed "Encanto," penned the screenplay for "Moana," and both co-wrote and co-directed the original "Zootopia." That right there speaks to some true animated talent, and if Bush was involved in all three of those instant classics, we're sure "Zootopia 2" is going to be something special.

While we're waiting for "Zootopia 2" to hit theaters, it might be a good time to revisit the first film. An instant Disney classic, "Zootopia" is available to stream on Disney+, and you can also rent it on sites like Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube. However, it's not the only adventure set in this world of mayoral lions, scheming sheep, and dancing gazelles.

In fact, there's a whole "Zootopia" series available for your viewing pleasure. Titled "Zootopia+," the six-episode series was released in November 2022 and follows some of the more lovable side characters from the film, like Duke Weaselton, Fru Fru and Mr. Big, and Judy's parents. Starring the likes of Bonnie Hunt, Alan Tudyk, and Idris Elba, "Zootopia+" is available on — you've probably guessed from the name — Disney+.