After ten years, Disney has returned to Zootopia with a sequel that surprises with its subject matter as much as its success.
Zootopia 2 - released as Zootropolis 2 in the UK due to a trademark issue - has stormed the box office, taking in $140 million (£122 m) over its first five days, and proving that “socially conscious storytelling” in animation can also be commercially triumphant.
The original Zootopia, released in 2016, earned praise for its clear anti-racism message. Predators like Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) were unfairly judged and feared, reflecting real-world racial profiling and bias.
That film’s approach made the issue accessible to children while prompting conversations about prejudice for wider audiences. Zootopia 2 builds on this foundation, shifting its focus from individual bias to systemic exclusion.
The story reveals that reptiles were expelled from the city after a single snake was accused of murder. Founder Ebenezer Lynxley created “weather walls” that segregate species by climate, while Marsh Market, a remote boardwalk district, has become a haven for outcasts.
The narrative presents a clear parallel to colonial practices: a population is labelled as dangerous to justify their removal and the appropriation of their land and resources.
The sequel introduces Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), the first reptile to appear in Zootopia in a century, who enlists Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), Nick Wilde, and allies both new and returning, including Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), to uncover the truth behind the city’s founding.
Returning characters include Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), Flash Slothmore (Raymond S. Persi), Gazelle (Shakira), Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche), and supporting voices from Patrick Warburton, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, and Quinta Brunson.
The film’s commercial performance and reception are particularly notable in the context of Disney’s recent culture-war struggles.
The company has faced criticism from multiple directions: some accusing it of being “too woke” and diluting stories, others questioning cuts to queer representation and DEI initiatives. Yet Zootopia 2’s strong audience response indicates a clear appetite for family films that engage with social issues.
CinemaScore reports an “A” grade, while audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes sit at 95%, slightly above the original’s 92%. Critics have also praised the sequel for its intelligence and moral ambition, noting that it successfully translates complex social issues into a format accessible to children without losing entertainment value.
By connecting the original’s exploration of prejudice with this sequel’s anti-colonial themes, Zootopia 2 demonstrates that animated films can address complex societal issues without sacrificing mainstream appeal.
For audiences in both the UK and beyond, Zootropolis 2 proves that Disney can confront difficult subjects, entertain widely, and succeed commercially. In doing so, the sequel confirms that, at least here, woke has won.
