Nick Wilde, Gary, and Judy Hopps in Zootopia 2 poster
By
Cooper Hood
Published 29 minutes ago
Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release.
He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on Rotten Tomatoes, coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years.
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Walt Disney Animation Studios has finally made a sequel to one of its biggest hits. 2016's Zootopia earned rave reviews, to the tune of a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, and surprised everyone with its $1 billion gross at the box office. Even after winning the Best Animated movie Academy Award, Disney took its time developing Zootopia 2.
It wasn't until 2023 that the studio confirmed it was in the works with Jared Bush and Byron Howard returning to direct, while Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman starring once more. Zootopia 2 follows Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, now partners for the ZPD, as they embark on a new crime-solving adventure.
With the first film's ginormous success, Disney understandably decided to make Zootopia 2 a theatrical release — starting November 26 — rather than putting it straight to streaming despite the nine-year release gap. But, the sequel will eventually make its way to Disney+.
Whether you want to watch it again after seeing it in theaters or plan on waiting until it's streaming to check it out, Zootopia 2's streaming release date on Disney+ is not officially confirmed. Luckily, we are able to make a strong prediction of when it will happen thanks to the studio's history.
Zootopia 2's Disney+ Release Date Projection
Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and Gary De'Snake smiling in Zootopia 2 posterCourtesy of Disney
Disney's track record with handling theatrical-to-streaming release dates is quite complicated, as the studio takes slightly different approaches depending on whether its a Disney film, a 20th Century release, part of a big franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or heralds from Pixar or Disney Animation, like the 2025 movie sequel does.
Overall, a movie that comes from Disney's umbrella has gone to streaming after 88 days on average over the last two years. Titles from a core segment of the Mouse House have a longer average, at 96 days. Disney Animation movies have an even bigger gap historically.
Since Disney+ launched in 2019, Disney Animation has released six films. But, Raya and the Last Dragon had a simultaneous streaming and theatrical release during COVID-19, and Encanto and Strange World went to Disney's streaming service after only 30 days, as part of the studio's previous desire to shrink theatrical windows.
The studio's other three films — Frozen II, Wish, and Moana 2 — are better comparisons for Zootopia 2. Those movies had gaps of 114, 133, and 105 days between coming out in theaters and on streaming. That's a 117-day gap on average.
This firmly puts Zootopia 2's projected streaming release date on Disney+ in March 2026. That would allow it to have a similar gap to Frozen 2 and Moana 2, which are apt for comparison as the studio's other major animated sequels that came out in theaters in the Thanksgiving week release window.
I'm confident predicting a March 2026 streaming release for the movie, but if I had to narrow it down even more, March 13 or March 20 should be its most likely landing spots. The latter would give it the same 114-day gap as Frozen 2 got, while the other would be two days longer than Moana 2's gap.
March 20, 2026, may be better for Disney's overall synergy too. Pixar's next movie, Hoppers, comes out in theaters on March 6. Rather than making Zootopia 2 available on streaming the week after and potentially giving families alternative weekend viewing plans in a pivotal second weekend, waiting until March 20 creates a bit more separation.
There will be an earlier chance to watch Zootopia 2 at home through its digital release, which should occur in January 2026, but those wanting to watch it on Disney+ will need to wait until March of next year.
Zootopia 2
Like Follow Followed PG Family Comedy Crime Adventure Animation Release Date November 26, 2025 Director Byron Howard, Jared Bush Writers Jared BushCast
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Ginnifer Goodwin
Judy Hopps (voice)
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Jason Bateman
Nick Wilde (voice)
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Ke Huy Quan
Gary De'Snake (voice)
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Jenny Slate
Dawn Bellwether (voice)
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Zootopia 2
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