Disney’s “Zootopia 2” has taken the world by storm, cementing itself as one of the highest-grossing animated films in history just two months after its November 26, 2025, theatrical release.
As of late January 2026, the sequel has raked in $1.745 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film ever from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the top-grossing American animated film of all time, and the second-highest-grossing animated film overall.
Directed by Jared Bush (also writer and Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer) and Byron Howard, returning from the original, the film reunites audiences with Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they tackle a new mystery in Zootopia.
New characters—including Ke Huy Quan as the mysterious reptile Gary De’Snake, Fortune Feimster as conspiracy theorist Nibbles Maplestick, and Quinta Brunson as Dr Fuzzby, a quokka therapist—expand the city’s lore while addressing themes of prejudice, hidden history, and interspecies cooperation.
Shakira reprises her role as Gazelle, with appearances from Patrick Warburton, Andy Samberg, Idris Elba, and a cameo from Dwayne Johnson as Zeke the dik-dik.
“The sequel was about deepening the world while keeping Judy and Nick’s partnership at the heart of the story,” said Jared Bush. “We wanted to explore new biomes, new characters, and the complexity of Zootopia’s history, while keeping it fun, emotional, and relevant.”
The production marked several technical milestones for Disney. Animators switched from Maya to Presto for the first time on a feature film, and cutting-edge Hyperion renderer path guiding was used on select shots to enhance realism. Animators studied live animals extensively to perfect movement, adding authenticity to characters like Gary De’Snake and the Marsh Market residents.
Critics have largely praised the film for its humour, animation, and world-building, though some noted that its story occasionally leaned heavily on comedy compared to the first film. Despite this, “Zootopia 2” has generated Oscar buzz, including a nod for Best Animated Feature.
The film’s commercial and cultural success has already set the stage for potential future instalments. Post-credits scenes hint at Zootopia 3, with early sketches reportedly underway.
In addition to its box office dominance, Disney released “Zootopia 2” digitally on January 27, 2026, with physical copies arriving on March 3 and streaming on Disney+ expected shortly thereafter.
Film analysts note that “Zootopia 2” demonstrates the enduring appeal of socially conscious storytelling combined with top-tier animation. “Nearly a decade after the original, audiences still connect with Judy, Nick, and the rich world of Zootopia,” said one industry insider. “It’s a testament to Disney’s vision and the universal messages of tolerance, teamwork, and curiosity.”
Comparing Animated Giants
With $1.745 billion in global earnings, “Zootopia 2” surpasses previous Disney hits like Frozen II ($1.45 billion) and The Lion King (2019 live-action/CGI) ($1.66 billion), and trails only behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) ($1.8 billion) among all animated films. It also overtakes Incredibles 2 ($1.24 billion) and Minions ($1.16 billion), highlighting the remarkable global appeal of Disney’s sequel.
Analysts say the film’s strong performance proves the power of combining rich storytelling, innovative animation, and socially relevant messages.
“Nearly a decade after the original, audiences still connect with Judy, Nick, and the rich world of Zootopia,” said one industry insider. “It’s a testament to Disney’s vision and the universal messages of tolerance, teamwork, and curiosity.”
With its record-breaking earnings, star-studded cast, and technical innovations, “Zootopia 2” has not only revived a beloved franchise but also reshaped the landscape of animated filmmaking in the 2020s.
