Blu-ray Review: “Zootopia 2” — A Sequel Worth the Wait, and a Disc Worth Owning
Zootopia captured hearts in 2016 with its vibrant world, sharp social commentary, and an unlikely partnership that became one of Disney Animation's most beloved duos. Nearly a decade later, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are finally back — and their return to the big screen was absolutely worth the wait. Now that Zootopia 2 has made its way home on Blu-ray from Disney, fans can revisit Zootopia's centennial celebration anytime they like, and the disc makes a strong case for a permanent spot on the shelf.
Judy and Nick are still rookies on the ZPD when a tip about a snake threatening the city's centennial sends them on an unauthorised investigation to prove themselves. That snake turns out to be Gary De'Snake, voiced by Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan, whose charm and vulnerability make him one of Disney Animation's most memorable new characters in years. Rounding out the newcomers are the misfit Pawbert (Andy Samberg), the irresistible Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), and a city full of fan-favorite returning faces — all woven together in an adventure that's clever without being cynical and heartfelt without being heavy.
The Blu-ray presentation does the film justice with a luminous, detail-rich transfer that lets every tuft of fur and scale shine, paired with an immersive surround mix that puts viewers right in the middle of Zootopia's bustling streets. The bonus features are just as generous as the film itself, highlighted by an 18-minute studio tour with directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard, nearly half an hour of deleted scenes, and a handful of fun featurettes that pull back the curtain on everything from the voice recording sessions to the cheerful treat cart that keeps Disney Animation's artists fueled between takes.
Bonus Features
- The Zookeepers (18:05) — Trot along with writer/director Jared Bush and director Byron Howard for a tour of Walt Disney Animation Studios! Get a behind the scenes look as they open up the doors to meet cast and crew and share about all the work done to bring the movie to life.
- A City of Stars (8:54) — Meet the fur-tastic voice actors behind the cast of Zootopia 2 as filmmakers share the joy of having the original cast returning and how each new role found its purr-fect match.
- Everybody Can Draw! (4:08) — Sketch along with Benson Shum, Animation Supervisor, as he talks about his role on Zootopia 2 and guides viewers in drawing everyone’s favorite new beaver, Nibbles!
- Zoo-prising Secrets (5:55) — Uncover ssssurprising references and characters from some of your favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios films hidden throughout the movie, along with fun facts.
- Wilde Times in the Booth (2:40) — Hop inside the recording booth for plenty of laughs and behind-the-scenes fun. See how the hilarious cast brings their characters to life!
- The Treat Trolley (3:16) — Meet the cheerful crew behind the Treat Trolley that brings smiles and snacks throughout the halls of Disney Animation to keep the studio artists fueled and energized.
- "Zoo" Music Video by Shakira (3:15) — Celebrate friendship and adventure with Shakira in her music video for the movie’s new song, “Zoo.”
- Deleted Scenes (28:01) – Check out the scenes that didn’t make the final cut, with an overall introduction by directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard.
- What's In the Box? (2:15)
- Where Are They Now? (3:09)
- Animal Hospital (8:11)
- Welcome to the Team (2:44)
- Desert Festival (2:44)
- Clawhauser Tracks Judy (3:50)
- A Plight at the Museum (2:59)
- Clawhauser's Family (0:47)
Video
Zootopia 2 arrives on Blu-ray from Disney in a 1080p widescreen transfer, and it's a genuinely gorgeous presentation. The film's wide animal kingdom palette comes through with real richness and vibrancy, particularly in the cooler blue and green tones that run throughout the movie. Where the disc truly shines is in the fur and hide detail on the film's many creatures — the texture work that Disney's animators put into every character is rendered with impressive clarity, making it easy to appreciate just how much craft went into designing such a varied cast of animals. The occasional cutaways to in-universe TV broadcasts get a deliberately roughed-up, lower-quality look that fits the story, though that effect is slightly uneven at times.
Audio
The Blu-ray carries a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, and it's an immersive, enveloping listen from start to finish. The sound design makes full use of the surround speakers, filling the room with ambient environmental noise and well-placed effects — including one memorable scene involving water that puts the entire soundfield to work in an unexpectedly fun way. Michael Giacchino's energetic score spreads warmly across the channels, and dialogue remains crisp and easy to follow throughout. Additional audio options include a stereo descriptive audio track, plus French and Spanish 5.1.
Packaging & Design
Zootopia 2 comes to Blu-Ray in a standard 2-disc case, with a holofoil slipcover available in the initial pressing. The Blu-Ray disc has artwork, and the main menu features Nick and Judy traversing the environments of the film set to score from the film. There are no trailers on either disc. The only insert is a digital copy flier, redeemable through Movies Anywhere.
Final Thoughts
Zootopia 2 is the rare sequel that earns its existence without leaning on nostalgia as a crutch. The story gives Judy and Nick genuine room to grow, the newcomers feel like they belong in this world rather than passing through it, and the themes land with the same light but purposeful touch that made the original so resonant. This Blu-ray is a fitting home for it — the presentation is excellent, the bonus features are plentiful, and the deleted scenes alone are worth the price of admission for fans curious about the roads not taken. Whether you're revisiting Zootopia for the first time since 2016 or you've already seen the sequel twice in theaters, this disc earns a permanent spot in the collection.
Purchase Options
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