Disney brings family fun this Thanksgiving weekend with ‘Zootopia 2’

Move over Starsky and Hutch. Hopps and Wilde are back. And they pack warm – er – fur.

‘Zootopia 2’ is the sequel to Disney’s hit 2016 animated film set in a world run by anthropomorphic animals. In the first part, we meet Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), an overly enthusiastic cop trying to make her mark as the first rabbit to join the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD), and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a slick red fox who leaves his life as a con man behind to help Hopps solve a case, which also earns him his own badge.

A year later, Hopps and Wilde are still partners, but perhaps a dysfunctional couple. After they fail an illegal smuggling operation, their Cape Buffalo ZPD chief Bogo (Idris Elba) orders them to participate in a “Partners in Crisis” group therapy.

‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ REVIEW: ARIANA GRANDE, CYNTHIA ERIVO WORK THEIR MAGIC IN A DARKER FINAL ACT

Hopps is eager to get started on a new business – and she has a hunch that something is afoot at the Zootenial Gala celebrating Zootopia’s 100th anniversary since its founding. Despite reptiles being banished from Zootopia, a blue snake named Gary (Ke Huy Quan) crashes the party to steal a mysterious diary that once belonged to Zootopia’s founder Ebeneezer Lynxley. But an accident will send Hopps and Wilde on the hunt for Gary as they are hunted by the ZPD and the Lynxley family, who desperately want the diary back.

“Zootopia 2” doesn’t break any new ground, but Walt Disney Animated Studios (not to be confused with Pixar, which released “Elio” earlier this year) has a prolific franchise on its hands. Fan favorites from the first episode return like iconic DMV working sloth Flash (Raymond S. Persi) and adorable fat ZPD cheetah Benjamin Clawhauser (Nate Torrence) and we’re introduced to new faces like actor-mayor-stallion Brian Winddancer (Patrick Warburton), conspiracy podcast-hosting beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimister).

‘JAY KELLY’ REVIEW: ADAM SANDLER OUTSTANDS GEORGE CLOONEY IN NETFLIX’S GLOSSY BUT HOLLOW SHOWBIZ DRAMEDY

“Zootopia 2” features fan favorites like Flash the sloth (Raymond S. Persi) and introduces new characters like Mayor Winddancer (Patrick Warburton) and Dr. Fuzzby (Quinta Brunson). (© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved)

The voice cast is packed with A-list talent, many of them making one-line cameos – Andy Sandberg, Shakira, Josh Gad, June Squibb, Danny Trejo, Michael J. Fox, Mario Lopez and Dwayne Johnson to name a few – my personal favorite being Quinta Brunson (of “Abbott Elementary” fame) who plays Dr. Plays Fuzzby, the mild-mannered quokka therapist who leads the battle session in which Hopps and Wilde are trapped.

Although clearly aimed at children, ‘Zootopia 2’ is awash with cultural references to entertain adults, ranging from ‘Ratatouille’ to ‘The Shining’.

Creative duo Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who wrote and/or directed Disney hits like “Encanto,” the first “Zootopia” and the “Moana” films, clearly have the magic formula to entertain kids and make the House of Mouse a lot of money.

‘PREDATOR: BADLANDS’ REVIEW: AN ACTION-PACKED FRANCHISE REBOOT WITH A TWIST

Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman), left, and Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia 2.” (© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The verdict

“Zootopia 2” is a cute, innocent, beautifully animated movie that will delight children and parents alike. Is it a top level sequel? No, but it doesn’t have to be that way. So if you’re taking your kids or grandkids outside for a few hours, “Zootopia 2” might be your best choice for a holiday movie viewing. Otherwise, you can wait to stream it on Disney+ eventually.

★★★ — STREAM IT LATER

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

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP