Disney delivers household enjoyable this Thanksgiving weekend with ‘Zootopia 2’

Move over Starsky and Hutch. Hopps and Wilde are again. And they’re packing warmth — um — fur.

“Zootopia 2” is the follow-up to Disney’s hit animated movie from 2016 that takes place in a world run by anthropomorphic animals. In the primary installment, we meet Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a very keen cop attempting to depart her mark as the primary rabbit to affix the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD), and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a slick crimson fox who leaves his life as a con artist behind to assist Hopps crack a case, leading to him additionally getting his personal badge.

One yr later, Hopps and Wilde are nonetheless companions, however maybe a dysfunctional pair. After botching an unlawful smuggling operation bust, their cape buffalo ZPD Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) orders them to take part in a “Partners in Crisis” group remedy. 

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Hopps is itching to hop onto a brand new case — and he or she has a hunch that one thing is perhaps afoot on the Zootenial Gala celebrating Zootopia’s one centesimal yr since its founding. Despite reptiles being banished from Zootopia, a blue snake named Gary (Ke Huy Quan) crashes the celebration to steal a mysterious journal that after belonged to Zootopia’s founder Ebeneezer Lynxley. But an accident will end in Hopps and Wilde looking down Gary whereas being hunted by the ZPD in addition to the Lynxley household, who desperately need the journal again.

“Zootopia 2” does not break new floor however Walt Disney Animated Studios (to not be confused with Pixar, which launched “Elio” earlier this yr) has a fruitful franchise on its arms. Fan favorites from the primary installment return, like the long-lasting DMV-working sloth Flash (Raymond S. Persi) and the lovable chunky ZPD dispatcher cheetah Benjamin Clawhauser (Nate Torrence) and we’re launched to new faces just like the actor-turned-mayor stallion Brian Winddancer (Patrick Warburton), a conspiracy podcast-hosting beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimister).

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The voice solid is stacked with A-list expertise, a lot of them making one-line cameos — Andy Sandberg, Shakira, Josh Gad, June Squibb, Danny Trejo, Michael J. Fox, Mario Lopez and Dwayne Johnson simply to call a number of — my private favourite is Quinta Brunson (of “Abbott Elementary” fame) taking part in Dr. Fuzzby, the mild-mannered quokka therapist main the wrestle session Hopps and Wilde are caught in.

While it is clearly geared towards children, “Zootopia 2” is flooded with cultural references to amuse adults, starting from “Ratatouille” to “The Shining.”

The inventive duo of Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who’ve written and/or directed previous Disney hits like “Encanto,” the primary “Zootopia” and the “Moana” movies, clearly have the magic formulation to entertain children and to make the House of Mouse some huge cash. 

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The Verdict

“Zootopia 2” is a cute, innocent, gorgeously animated movie that gives enjoyable for youths and fogeys alike. Is it a prime tier sequel? No — nevertheless it does not must be. So in the event you take your children or grandkids out of the home for a few hours, “Zootopia 2” is perhaps your greatest wager on the movie show this vacation season. Otherwise, you may wait to ultimately stream it on Disney+.

★★★ — STREAM IT LATER

“Zootopia 2” is rated PG for motion/violence and impolite humor. Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. In theaters November 26, 2025.

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