Fans at OH and across the Oswego area won’t have to wait much longer to return to the bustling, anthropomorphic city of Zootopia. Disney’s Zootopia 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 blockbuster, released on Nov. 26, promising new adventures, fresh characters, and an expanded look at the city where anyone—from a timid bunny to a sly fox—can be anything.
According to IMDB, the original Zootopia became a global phenomenon for its humor, stunning animation, and clever approach to social themes. Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, it paired rookie cop rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) with fox con‑artist Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they uncovered a city‑wide mystery. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide and earned Disney its 55th Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
For many local fans, the sequel represents a chance to revisit the dynamic duo. “It was way better in my opinion,” said Traughber Junior High eighth grader Jonathan Baker, reflecting the excitement among students preparing to see the film. The sequel is expected to explore Judy and Nick’s evolving roles as officers navigating a more complex and unpredictable Zootopia, introducing new districts, cultural zones, and mysteries.
OH students and families see the movie as more than entertainment. “[The message is] to make the world a nice and happy place,” said OH sophomore Kaylee Brown, regarding the message of the film. Brown’s excitement extends to the soundtrack: “The singing and singers,” Brown added, helped make the first film so memorable.
The community connection extends beyond the screen. “Working together, even though some of the characters have differences… shows that if you have differences, you can work together and come up with a solution,” said Oswego resident, Lisa Baker, highlighting the film’s values of teamwork and cooperation. Local families echoed this sentiment, with many planning movie nights to share the experience with children and neighbors.
Industry analysts predict strong box-office performance, citing the first film’s success with both children and adults as a blueprint. Merchandise demand is already rising at 22%, with fans discussing character arcs, plot theories, and possible surprises across social media.
With new worlds, new mysteries, and new challenges ahead, Zootopia 2 aims to deliver a story blending heart, humor, and adventure—reminding Oswego audiences why Zootopia continues to be one of Disney’s most beloved modern universes. “I honestly think the second one was better. It was more action-packed,” said Lisa Baker, reflecting the local anticipation and pride in seeing a Disney sequel that resonates with the community.
In Zootopia, animals of every size and species learn to work together despite their differences, a message that feels especially relevant today. Just like Juddy Hopps and Nick Wilde break the stereotypes to solve problems, people in the real world are learning that collaboration across cultures, backgrounds, and identities makes communities stronger.
The film’s mix of humor and heart shows that progress happens when everyone brings their unique strengths to the table. In a world facing division, Zootopia reminds us that teamwork and understanding are more powerful than fear or labels.
Across both movies, the message hits deeper than expected, shaping how young viewers understand the world around them. We see this continued storyline of creating a utopia through the lens of Zootopia, where everyone makes the world a better place together.
In films like this, Disney manages to teach real-world lessons without ever losing the fun. They put their differences aside to solve problems, make friends, and help the overall world.
And honestly, that’s why this franchise deserves to keep going—kids need stories like this as they grow into their own future.
My name is Gavin Baker, I'm a senior at OHS and this is my first year as a Journalist. I enjoy playing racing games, playing airsoft and racing my Traxxas RC car. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org.
Hi, I'm Poppy -- a high school student at OHS. Who is very passionate about biomedical science and aviation, who also enjoys creative projects and exploring new ideas. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
I heard that this has a lot of suggestive jokes do you think parents would like if there kids saw this. but besides that this is a pretty good movie