Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps earn their badges and are immediately sent to mandatory therapy by Chief Bogo. The sessions are cut short by rumors of a snake returning to a city that banished reptiles decades ago. Disguised as guests at a gala hosted by the philanthropic Rysevich family, they meet the serpent and learn it’s not an enemy but the friendliest scaled creature around. Trying to help their new ally, Nick and Judy end up accused by all of Zootopia of colluding with the snakes.
The first film shifted Disney’s focus from princess tales to conversations about prejudice and inclusion. After nearly ten years in the making, the sequel reframes the lens: reptiles are now at the center, their supposed “threat” propped up by fear and myth. The real antagonists are polished public figures masking cynicism and a hunger for control.
The movie brings back fan favorites for quick cameos, adds snake ghettos and underground clubs, and sprinkles in pop-culture nods from “Ratatouille” to “The Shining.” Yet the plot again hinges on how silence fractures a partnership and honest talk mends it. The result is a brisk, if less novel, sequel that tries to expand the world while staying true to its empathy-first message.