Zootopia 2 – IMAX Review

Genre: Animated Adventure / Comedy / Family

Director: Rich Moore & Josie Trinidad

Writers: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston

Runtime: 1h 52m

Voice Cast:

Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps

Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde

Idris Elba as Chief Bogo

Shakira as Gazelle

Alan Tudyk, Octavia Spencer, Stephanie Beatriz, Josh Gad,
Rating:  8.6 / 10

Set three years after the events of the first film, Zootopia 2 expands the city’s world by taking Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde into a deeper case that shakes the trust between predator and prey once again. When a mysterious string of disappearances hits multiple districts, Judy and Nick uncover a conspiracy that traces back to the city’s earliest founding — pushing them from the polished skylines of Sahara Square to the forgotten edges of Outback Isle.

The duo’s partnership is put to the test as they juggle evolving responsibilities, unresolved emotions, and their conflicting instincts in a city that still struggles with unity. The IMAX format elevates the film with new hand-crafted wide shots, enhanced lighting, and crisp spatial audio, making Zootopia’s world feel bigger and more alive than ever.

Incredible World-Building Expansion The sequel avoids retreading old ground. Instead, it expands Zootopia geographically and emotionally. New environments — including the rugged Outback Isle and the neon-lit Burrow Market — feel meticulously detailed, especially in IMAX.

Judy and Nick’s partnership deepens in a way that feels organic. Their emotional stakes are higher, their banter sharper, and their growth more evident. Nick, in particular, shines with a more introspective arc.

Michael Giacchino’s soundtrack blends upbeat noir-style tracks with warm emotional cues. In IMAX, the low-end rumble of chase sequences and the layered background noises of the city stand out.

The fur rendering, environmental textures, and crowd scenes showcase Disney Animation’s technical polish. IMAX amplifies this — wide-city shots truly pop.

The film recaptures the smart, contemporary humor of the original, blending social commentary with lighthearted animal-based jokes. Several scenes will become instant meme material. While entertaining, the central conspiracy doesn’t reach the originality or surprise level of the first film’s plot twist.

The middle portion slows, especially during Judy’s internal conflict scenes. Some sections feel like they stretch emotional beats a little too long. The sequel revisits ideas about prejudice, trust, and societal division — important themes, but some audiences may feel it’s retreading narrative territory.

Zootopia 2 is a vibrant, heartfelt, and visually stunning follow-up that justifies its IMAX release with meticulous world-building and a more emotionally layered story. While the plot feels familiar at times, the character arcs, humor, and expanded universe more than make up for it. A must-watch for animation lovers and fans of Judy and Nick, especially on the biggest screen possible.