Zootopia 2 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Zootopia 2 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman March 17, 2026

When both films in a still evolving franchise have topped the one billion (with a b) mark at the box office, it may be splitting hairs (and/or bunny fur) to try to peg one as "more popular" than the other, but Zootopia 2 seems to have outrun its Academy Award winning predecessor on several counts, including the ability to sell tickets. That propensity to set (or at least equal) records may have a new test in the near future, since if Zootopia 2 wins the Best Animated Feature Academy Award that it's been nominated for (after the first film won that category several years ago), the Zootopia franchise will then become only the second series to score two wins in the category, after Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 achieved that feat in 2011 and 2020 respectively. Zootopia 2 takes all of the charm and sometimes pointed humor of the first film, reuniting focal pair Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), while also introducing some fun new characters as our intrepid investigative duo look into yet another mysterious conspiracy that seems to be afflicting their city. Kind of interestingly, at least for physical media collectors, is the fact that despite this film's overwhelming success, as of the writing of this review there is only a wide 1080 release edition available, whereas the first film had Zootopia (1080), Zootopia 3D and Zootopia 4K disc releases (in addition to some retailer exclusives). This SteelBook is largely sold out everywhere and in a very rare example of a Disney PR machine let down, they did not offer review copies of this release, resulting in a delay for this review.

Some might argue that both the first Zootopia and this follow up are prime examples of what has been called Disney's tendency toward so- called "woke" ideologies, but in that regard I'll simply repeat a joke offered in my The Little Mermaid Blu-ray review and say folks seem to forget Disney has been engaging in paradigmatic "woke" behavior for years by recycling. In that regard, Zootopia 2 is probably inevitably a retread of sorts, but in terms of a perceived political subtext, both Zootopia films aren't especially shy about offering pointed commentary, albeit clad in whimsically animated animal characters and often outlandish situations.

While Zootopia 2 offers yet another mystery for Judy and Nick to solve, the underlying tale addresses some of the historical and socioeconomic issues that have faced actual Mankind out in the real world, though there is more recycling of a sort in that once again audiences are cautioned not to judge a book by its cover, or (in this case) a snake by its scales. Much as how the first Zootopia tried to deconstruct (or maybe reconstruct) stereotypical thinking about "predator" and "prey" (to cite just one example of that film's arguably politically charged subtext), Zootopia 2 does much the same thing with Gary De'Snake (Ke Huy Quan, one of several newcomers to this sophomore effort). And in fact there's a whole almost Biblical aspect to the way this film offers slithery reptiles as the assumed villains, even if in this case there's no apple or Garden of Eden to deal with.

The narrative here also addresses what might be called a "history is written by the victors" aspect that recasts not just the De'Snake family but Zootopia's own collective understanding of their shared history. And this is where what those disinclined toward any seeming political stance by a "mere" animated film may find the most "woke" element in Zootopia 2, namely the almost 1984-esque rewriting of history to align with the motives of those very victors. Disney is often rightly or wrongly seen as a prime purveyor of anthropomorphism with regard to its animated animal creatures, but in this case it's not hard to see that approach intentionally reflected here in the characters' behaviors as well as their physical properties.

Zootopia 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Our Zootopia 2 Blu-ray review offers an assortment of screenshots from the 1080 disc, which is what I would have used to source screenshots for this 4K review. Instead, I felt hi res photos of the enjoyable SteelBook packaging might be more useful to prospective consumers (if those consumers can even find this release at this point).

Zootopia 2 is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. This is another knockout 4K UHD presentation from Disney, with both a beautifully lustrous palette and some really appealing fine detail on all of the creatures. I was quite struck with the gorgeous hues on display in the 1080 version of this film, but the HDR / Dolby Vision grades add really noticeable highlights across the entire spectrum, with some of the whimsically colored creatures having a number of rich tones that are simply not as observable in SDR. The variety of animals offered in the story provides some wonderful (and occasionally intentionally comic) variations in "fur" and "hide" coverings, but fine detail on fur in particular is generally very impressive and I'd argue even more precise looking here than in the 1080 presentation. There are a bunch of supposed "cutaways" at various times to TV broadcasts and the like, and there are passing (though maybe slightly inconsistent) "distressed" looks to some of that material.

Zootopia 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As has been their standard operating procedure for a while, Disney's 1080 disc has a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track while this 4K disc offers a really nicely immersive Dolby Atmos track. That said, this may be another case where the differences between the two surround presentations can be subtle, but there are some passing moments where both creature noises and ambient environmental effects offer a bit more height in the Atmos version. Immersion (in more ways than one, considering one funny scene in water) on this track is consistent and there is regular engagement of the side and rear channels for a veritable glut of sound effects and other ambient environmental noises. Michael Giacchino contributes an energetic score that is also nicely splayed through the surround channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.

Zootopia 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: The 4K UHD disc offers no supplements. The following bonus features are on the 1080 disc included in this package:

• The Zookeepers (HD; 18:05) is an appealing tour of various departments of the production by Jared Bush and Byron Howard.


• A City of Stars (HD; 8:54) shows some of the voice actors strutting their stuff.


• Everybody Can Draw! (HD; 4:08) features animator Benson Shun offering some lessons.


• Zoo-Prising Secrets (HD; 5:55) offers a look at easter eggs hidden throughout the production.


• Wilde Times in the Booth (HD; 2:40) looks at more voice work.


• The Treat Trolley (HD; 3:16) offers a (sorry) sweet look at a traveling snack bar at Disney. They need healthier food.


• Zoo Music Video by Shakira (HD; 3:15)


• Deleted Scenes (HD; 28:01)

Disney is providing a really colorful and nicely designed SteelBook. The front panel has a glut of characters, with the focal duo front and (more or less) center, and the back cover featuring them again with a certain reptile whose body cheekily forms the number 2. The interior panels offer another illustration (you can see the left side in the fourth hi res photo I've uploaded to accompany this review). A digital copy is included and there's also a J card that folds around the top of the SteelBook.

Zootopia 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As is probably clear from my score, I'm not particularly bothered by any perceived (or in fact real) subtext in this film, and I found the characterizations engaging, with the traditionally potent Disney blend of sweet (sometimes goofy) humor and heartstring tugging emotion. This film's undeniable attempt to link supposed animals with real life situations and good old human behavior may recall the great old Simon and Garfunkel tune At the Zoo. Technical merits are first rate and both video and audio get a nice upgrade with this 4K edition. The 1080 disc offers supplements that are very enjoyable and the SteelBook packaging is colorful and well designed. Highly recommended.