With “Zootopia 2” finally coming out on Nov. 26, it feels like Disney is bringing back a piece of our childhood right when none of us were expecting it. Even though the first movie came out years ago, people at Gabrielino High School still remember it pretty clearly—the jokes, the characters, the whole vibe of the city. It wasn’t some deep, life-changing film, but it was one of those movies that was just straight-up fun to watch. Honestly, sometimes that’s all a movie needs to be.
What surprised me the most while talking to students and teachers is how many people echoed the same sentiment. Even if it’s not someone’s favorite movie or they haven’t watched it in forever, “Zootopia” is a film that almost everyone has a positive memory of. It’s the kind of movie that played during class parties, on road trips, or when you were bored at home and needed something comfortable. So when the sequel was announced, it instantly caught people’s attention—not because it was some huge franchise like “Frozen” or “Toy Story,” but because it’s just a genuinely well-liked movie.
Another reason the sequel is gaining popularity around school is that enough time has passed for it to evoke nostalgia. Many freshmen, for example, were little kids when the first one came out. Now in high school, we’re pretending we’re too old for animated movies, even though we’re 100 percent not. Everyone I spoke with admitted they’re curious to see if “Zootopia 2” still has the same humor and charm that made the original so memorable. It’s rare for a sequel to drop almost a decade later, making this one feel like a throwback in the best way.
For me personally, what made the original “Zootopia” stand out wasn’t some big message or lesson—it was all about being chill and entertaining. The characters were fun to follow, the jokes landed well, and the animation was captivating without trying too hard. It wasn’t dramatic or overly emotional—it was just a good movie to relax with. So, as someone who grew up with it, I’m hopeful the sequel keeps that same energy and doesn’t try to be something it’s not.
To find out what others on campus think, I had the opportunity to talk to Lauren Kawaii, who remembers watching the movie when it first came out, and freshmen Ashley Gonzales and Melina Martinez, who grew up with it. Their responses were straightforward and echoed a common theme—they enjoyed the film because it was funny, cute, and enjoyable. What struck me was how, despite watching it at different ages, they all liked it for the same reasons.
Ashley said, “I loved the humor and the characters in the original; I hope the sequel is just as good.” Melina added, “‘Zootopia’ always felt relatable, and I can’t wait to see what the new story brings.” Kawaii reflected, “The original had a special charm, and I’m eager to see if the sequel captures that nostalgia.”
This sequel seems really promising and could definitely bring back the feelings of the original while throwing in some new twists. As we get closer to the release, I’m just looking forward to grabbing some popcorn and relaxing to watch the movie. I really hope “Zootopia 2” is just as fun as the first one because I can’t wait to see what kind of adventures will happen next.
