'Zootopia 2' holds up mirror to human nature, say creators

"We spend so much time trying to figure out what that dynamic is going to be like," Bush said, describing the duo as "soulmates." "There's this really special chemistry between Nick and Judy that, for me, is a joy to write for. I love it so much because they feel real, and they are flawed, and they make mistakes, and they feel like characters that I know."

Director Jared Bush signs autographs on the red carpet at the "Zootopia 2" premiere and celebration at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land, Nov. 18, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios]

"Something we do early on is we really sit around and just talk about our own human experiences," Bush shared. "I think, more than anything else, Zootopia is a world that holds up a mirror to human nature, to how we as humans make mistakes or fall into patterns."

"We want to tell a story that is timeless," he said. "For this movie, the idea is that there are differences we need to look past or to see as making us stronger."

The original 2016 film was a global sensation, grossing over $1 billion, including 1.53 billion yuan ($210 million) from China. The film won the Oscar for best animated feature, along with numerous other accolades. For the sequel, Disney launched massive marketing campaigns and over 2,000 licensed products in the country.

The strategy delivered. "Zootopia 2" saw a phenomenal opening, grossing $559.5 million worldwide. China contributed a colossal $272 million, instantly becoming the country's highest-grossing imported animated film.

Ticketing platform Maoyan predicts a 4.25 billion yuan run. This success could hasten a third film, possibly featuring birds, Bush hinted.

Bush said the numbers validate his belief in the power of the cinematic experience.

Director Jared Bush poses with a fan story billboard outside a theater during a "Zootopia 2" premiere event in Beijing, Nov. 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios]

"I so believe in the theatrical experience because you want to sit in a room with people you don't know and you want to laugh and cry and gasp and get freaked out by a jump scare; you want all those things," Bush said.

"I'd say, specifically in younger generations, I see that over and over again because they're actually dying for that shared experience," he added. "It's just our responsibility to bring them something worthy of that."