The hallways of Shadow Ridge High School are buzzing with excitement as Disney soon releases Zootopia 2 on November 26, 2025. Nearly a decade after the initial Zootopia captured the hearts of people around the world, Shadow Ridge students eagerly wait to enter the city of animals where “anyone can be anything.”
The 2016 live-action movie brought viewers the unlikely pair of Judy Hopps, a straight-shooting police bunny, and Nick Wilde, a cunning fox with a habit of getting himself into trouble. Their friendship and collaboration warmed the hearts of millions of individuals, some of whom are many of the current Shadow Ridge students who saw it as a child. In Zootopia 2, the pair is once again teamed up for a fresh case that takes them far beyond city limits, to whole new territory that is full of mystery, comedy, and heart.
“I’ve been waiting since middle school for this movie,” junior Raiden Lai, who refers to herself as a Disney addict, said. “It’s great to watch the characters we all grew up with come back, it’s like something from our childhood returning.”
Disney officially announced that the new film includes a reptilian cartoon character named Gary De’Snake, who is played by Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan, whose debut devastates the city of Zootopia. Ginnifer Goodwin returns as Judy Hopps, and Jason Bateman returns as Nick Wilde, and joining the voices behind the faces are Quinta Brunson, Andy Samberg, and Macaulay Culkin. Jared Bush and Byron Howard are both directing the movie, with the latter also directing the original movie.
To others on the Shadow Ridge campus, Zootopia 2 is not just a sequel, it’s a throwback to their youth. Some students remember watching the first one in grade school and being motivated by its moral of acceptance and perseverance.
“It’s that type of movie where you see and think about how animals, or people, can coexist with one another in spite of differences,” said junior Brayden Yorke.
The corporation is also debuting a brand new original song titled “Zoo,” co-written along with Shakira, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Slatkin. Shakira is also reprising Gazelle, the pop star who was the inspiration behind Judy Hopps in the initial film.
As the release date in November is approaching, students at the Mustangs are becoming increasingly hungry. Students are already planning group movie night sessions and attending school wearing Zootopia themed shirts to show their excitement.
