Return to the wild world of the mammal metropolis in Zootopia 2 (2025). Detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back to crack a brand new case involving the arrival of mysterious reptiles. Explore our guide for the latest plot details, release information, and a preview of Disney's highly anticipated animated sequel.
Synopsis
Now working as fully established partners at the Zootopia Police Department, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde face their most challenging investigation yet. The delicate balance of their animal society is threatened by the sudden arrival of reptiles, a species previously unseen in the city. To solve the case, the dynamic duo must venture into unexplored biomes and go deep undercover, tracking a slippery new suspect named Gary who holds the key to a mystery that could change Zootopia forever.
Information |
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Language |
English |
Country |
United States |
Premiere date |
November 26, 2025 |
Running time |
TBD minutes |
Genre |
Animation
Adventure Comedy |
Budget |
$150,000,000 (Estimated) |
Box Office |
TBD |
Crew |
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Directed by |
Jared Bush Byron Howard |
Produced by |
Yvett Merino |
Written by |
Jared Bush |
Music by |
Mark Mancina |
Cinematography |
Nathan Warner Brian Leach |
Edited by |
Jeremy Milton |
Production Co. |
Walt Disney Pictures Walt Disney Animation Studios |
Distributed by |
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Top Cast |
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Official Trailer |
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Movie Collection |
Movie Order: #02 in Zootopia Collection
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The Plot
Heroes in Chaos
Following the arrest and incarceration of Dawn Bellwether, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are hailed as heroes throughout Zootopia. Now officially partners in the ZPD, the duo continues to patrol the streets and apprehend criminals, eventually earning promotions to detective. However, their dynamic has become increasingly erratic; Judy’s intense determination often clashes with Nick’s inability to take matters seriously, creating friction in their police work.
Against the direct orders of Chief Bogo, Nick and Judy recruit their former hustle partner, Finnick, to help them pose as a family for an undercover operation. Their target is Antony Snootley, a suspected criminal posing as a dock inspector who is believed to be smuggling contraband. The sting goes awry when Antony catches on to their scheme and flees, forcing the duo into a high-speed pursuit. Judy’s reckless driving during the chase causes significant property damage across the city, culminating in a crash that destroys the statue of one of Zootopia's founders, Ebenezer Lynxley. The destruction is witnessed by the newly elected mayor, former action film star Brian Winddancer. Amidst the wreckage, Judy catches a fleeting glimpse of a creature resembling a snake slithering away and discovers shed scales at the scene, though the figure disappears before she can investigate further.
Mandatory Counseling
When Judy and Nick return to the precinct, Chief Bogo is apoplectic with rage. He berates them for their unauthorized actions and the public destruction they caused, refusing to listen to Judy’s observations about the snake or Antony, who has since been arrested by the Zebros. Bogo expresses deep concern that their volatile partnership is becoming a liability and threatens to separate them permanently. As a final ultimatum, he demands they "get their act together" by attending partner counseling sessions with the precinct’s therapist, Dr. Fuzzby.
During their first session, Dr. Fuzzby immediately dissects their psychological profiles: Judy has a compulsive habit of taking the lead without consulting Nick due to constant stress, while Nick is deeply self-conscious and uses humor as a defense mechanism to hide his insecurities. Both detectives are annoyed by the accurate but intrusive diagnosis, yet they agree to work harder to maintain their positions at the ZPD. Later, while Judy plans a meeting to appease Bogo, Nick attempts to buy her a "big carrot soda" from a vending machine. In a display of his distraction, he accidentally throws the bottle through the wall into the adjacent office, spraying soda all over Paul Moledebrandt, who is working at his computer.
The Zootennial Conspiracy
At their respective homes, the partners handle their suspension differently; Nick lounges around his apartment neglecting his paperwork, while Judy studies diligently, trying to avoid conversation with her overly talkative parents. Her focus shifts to the news, which is covering the upcoming "Zootennial" gala, a celebration of the city's 100th anniversary hosted by the prestigious Lynxley family. Judy notices that a van attending the gala is identical to the one Antony Snootley was driving. Convinced the events are connected, she recruits a reluctant Nick to sneak into the exclusive event.
At the gala, Judy maneuvers to get close to Ebenezer Lynxley’s historical journal, which is being presented as a centerpiece of the celebration. She meets Pawbert Lynxley, the youngest son of the family patriarch Milton Lynxley, and immediately befriends him, causing Nick to feel a pang of jealousy. While scanning the room, Nick spots a suspicious hooded figure. Before he can warn Judy, he is apprehended by Chief Bogo, who is providing security. Thinking quickly, Nick creates a scene to draw everyone’s attention toward the hooded figure just as Milton is welcoming the guests.
The Viper's Strike
The distraction forces the hooded figure to reveal himself as Gary De'Snake, a blue pit viper. Gary snatches the journal and kidnaps Milton Lynxley, fleeing the scene. Judy gives chase immediately, eventually cornering Gary and his hostage in the Lynxley family den. Gary insists he only stole the journal to help his family return home and claims that Milton is actually the villain. Nick arrives mid-confrontation and, misunderstanding the dynamic, knocks Gary unconscious with a frying pan.
The situation spirals when Milton’s elder children, Cattrick and Kitty, rush in. They demand that Nick and Judy kill Gary immediately to keep the situation "on the downlow." A scuffle ensues as Bogo bursts into the room. In the chaos, Milton accidentally shoves Gary, causing the viper to bite Bogo in the head, knocking the Chief out and causing Gary to lose a fang. As Judy extracts the fang, Captain Hoggbottom enters. Influenced by Kitty’s malicious lies twisting the truth of Bogo’s injury, Hoggbottom assumes Judy has attacked her superior and betrayed the force. With no other option, Nick and Judy flee with the unconscious Gary and the journal, escaping on a motorcycle driven by a mysterious masked figure.
Underworld Alliances
The fugitives are rescued by Mr. Big, who is revealed to be running an apparel side business with his daughter, Fru Fru, to spend more time with his granddaughter, Judith. Mr. Big offers to create fake passports for Nick and Judy to flee the country, but Judy refuses, determined to stop the Lynxleys. Mr. Big reveals a dark truth: the Lynxleys have deep ties to the criminal underworld and built the massive weather walls controlling Zootopia's climate, making them nearly untouchable. While Nick wants to cut their losses and leave, Judy urges him to stay and help Gary. With Fru Fru’s assistance, they contact Nibbles Maplestick, a conspiracy theorist podcaster who has long argued that reptiles secretly exist in Zootopia.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Milton Lynxley furiously pressures Mayor Winddancer to mobilize the entire ZPD against Nick and Judy, branding them criminals to cover up the Lynxley family's crimes.
The Sunken Secret
Nibbles takes Nick and Judy to Marsh Market, a district suffering under the threat of being paved over for a Tundratown expansion by the Lynxleys. They arrive at a sunken ship serving as a reptile hideout and meet Jesús. He examines the journal, which features a metal cover, and explains it holds a secret visible only to eyes that are not regular mammal eyes. Their investigation is cut short when the ZPD raids the hideout, having tracked Nick’s scent after he was "ratted out" by a juggling sea lion he had annoyed earlier. Jesús helps the trio escape by miraculously running across the water, but Gary snatches the journal and runs off. Judy pursues him with Nick close behind, while Nibbles sacrifices herself to the police to ensure their escape. The partners are forced to bail into a water tunnel, barely surviving as their breath holds out.
Fractured Partnership
Lost halfway between Marsh Market and Gary’s destination, tensions boil over. Nick is furious with Judy for dragging them into yet another life-threatening mess. They are assisted by a pair of German-accented goats who point them toward an abandoned lodge atop a mountain where reptiles are rumored to hide. During the climb, Nick playfully insults Judy while toying with her carrot recorder pen—a memento of their first case. They fight over the pen, causing it to fall and break. The destruction of the sentimental object angers Judy deeply.
Upon reaching the getaway, Judy finds a collection of notes and clippings detailing Zootopia’s history of vilifying reptiles. Nick spots the ZPD closing in and tries to warn Judy, but in a moment of apathy, he admits he doesn't care about the case because he doesn't see it as something "worth dying for." Judy, heartbroken, responds that perhaps they are "too different" after all. The ZPD breaches the hideout; Judy is hit with a tranquilizer dart but is rescued at the last second by Gary and the masked figure from the gala—who reveals himself to be Pawbert Lynxley. Nick is captured. While being hauled away, Milton mocks him for his reckless heroism and his obvious feelings for Judy.
The Founders' Truth
Judy wakes up in the company of Gary and Pawbert, who reveal they have been working together to uncover the true history of Zootopia. Gary uses his heat vision on the journal’s metal cover to reveal a hidden map leading to a lighthouse and "Reptile Ravine," an abandoned town. The truth comes out: Zootopia was founded by both mammals and reptiles. Gary’s great-grandmother, Agnes De'Snake, was a co-founder alongside Ebenezer Lynxley (Pawbert’s great-grandfather). Ebenezer framed Agnes for murder, pushed the reptiles out, and paved over their homes to claim sole credit. Realizing the proof of this legacy lies hidden in Tundratown, the trio sets off.
In jail, Nick is placed in a cell opposite Nibbles. Under her questioning, he opens up about why he pulled back on the mountain: he cares about Judy too much and is terrified of losing her. Nibbles engineers a breakout, but they accidentally release 200 prisoners—including Dawn Bellwether. Amidst the chaos of the mass breakout, Nick calls his sloth friend Flash to pick them up.
Race to the Weather Wall
Judy, Gary, and Pawbert cut through the desert of Sahara Square, hotly pursued by the ZPD. They rush through the Burning Mammal Festival, where they receive unexpected aid from Gazelle and her tiger dancers, who beat up the Zebros in retaliation for an incident at the gala. Clawhauser assists Nick by pinpointing Judy’s location, and Flash speeds Nick and Nibbles to the scene. Captain Hoggbottom catches up to Judy and is ordered to shoot a lethal dart. Reluctant due to her honor, she fires, but Flash’s car intercepts the projectile. The groups converge at the massive Sahara Square weather wall, but Nick is accidentally locked out of the tower as the others ascend.
Judy, Gary, and Pawbert reach the top to activate the lighthouse switch. Meanwhile, Nibbles rescues Nick from the weather wall’s heating vents. Suddenly, Pawbert betrays the group. He injects Judy with snake venom and tosses Gary out into the freezing cold. Pawbert reveals his true motivation: he wants the original foundation papers to destroy them, hoping this act will finally win him the acceptance of his vile father and siblings so he no longer feels "different." He leaves Judy to die, steals Gary’s fanny pack containing the anti-venom, poisons Nibbles, and corners Nick atop the wall.
Agree to Disagree
Gary survives the cold by using his strength to absorb the lingering heat from Judy’s body just as the ZPD arrives below. A massive brawl breaks out while Nick fights Pawbert on the high wall. Nick forces Pawbert to drop the contents of the fanny pack and spots Gary below, signaling for the anti-venom pen. Pawbert tries to break Nick’s spirit, sneering that "it's not worth dying for." Nick retorts with Judy’s old motto, "Agree to disagree," and successfully tosses the pen down to Gary.
Gary catches the pen and cures Judy. She rushes up the wall and saves Nick just as he and Pawbert nearly fall to their deaths. In the emotional aftermath, Nick and Judy finally bare their souls. Nick admits he has always wanted a "pack" but pushes people away due to his solitary nature, while Judy confesses she fears being seen as "weak" and craves acceptance. They affirm that they matter more to each other than anyone else. Gary cures Nibbles, and the quartet spots Pawbert, who miraculously survived the fall, limping toward the lighthouse.
The Final Verdict
The group chases Pawbert through his family home, where he is initially caught by his father until he reveals his plan to destroy the evidence. Nick and Judy pursue Pawbert into a garden maze while Gary and Nibbles distract the rest of the Lynxley family. Nibbles confronts Mayor Winddancer, urging him to be a real hero. Inspired, Winddancer channels his old film persona from The Neighslayer 2 and helps incapacitate the Lynxleys. Nick and Judy corner Pawbert in the maze, and with help from their allies, finally subdue and tie him up.
They access the abandoned reptile town via the lighthouse and enter Agnes De'Snake’s old home. There, they find the original patent proving Zootopia’s dual founding. Pawbert makes one last desperate attempt to attack, but is knocked out by Captain Hoggbottom, mirroring how Nick took out Gary earlier. The story of the Lynxleys' fraud and the true history of the city is broadcast across mass media. The Lynxley family is arrested, while Nick, Judy, and Gary are cleared of all charges. Nibbles receives a pardon for her heroic actions. With the truth revealed, reptiles are allowed to reintegrate into Zootopia.
A New Chapter
Months later, Nick and Judy’s relationship has deepened, and they now lead training sessions for ZPD partners on accepting differences. They attend a housewarming party for Gary, whose family has finally returned home. Nick surprises Judy with her carrot recorder pen, fully repaired, telling her to keep it as a memento. He then tells Judy he loves her. Judy reciprocates by playing a recording she secretly captured of his earlier confession. Their moment is cut short by duty; they agree to get back to work to recapture the 200 criminals Nick accidentally released, starting with a high-speed chase of Dawn Bellwether, who is attempting to flee to Outback Island.
During the credits, Zootopia celebrates with a massive concert by Gazelle performing her hit "Zoo." Brian Winddancer resumes his mayoral duties with renewed integrity. A regretful Pawbert is seen in prison, bickering with his family and longing for redemption. Chief Bogo is shown fully recovered from his snake bite. In a darker turn, Duke Weaselton is captured by Mr. Big for an offense involving "cement shoes." In a post-credits scene, Judy places the carrot pen on her windowsill, only to be interrupted by her noisy neighbors, Bucky and Pronk. As she sarcastically threatens them, she fails to notice a strange shadow flying past her window, leaving behind a mysterious brown feather.
