Disney has officially announced that Zootopia 3 is in development following the historic global success of its predecessor. Revealed at the D23 fan event in Anaheim by Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan, the upcoming sequel will expand the franchise’s animal metropolis to include a bird-centered storyline.
The Bottom Line
- The Big Announcement: Disney confirmed Zootopia 3 is officially in the works during the D23 fan event, with Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan returning.
- The Creative Direction: Franchise directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard revealed that the next film will feature a brand-new bird-centered storyline exploring new corners of the animal universe.
- The Box Office Precedent: The announcement follows the monumental theatrical run of last year’s Zootopia 2, which shattered records to become the biggest Hollywood animated film of all time with $1.87 billion worldwide.
Riding the Momentum of a Historic Box Office Giant
Last year’s sequel re-energized the studio’s theatrical slate, hauling in an astonishing $1.87 billion at the global box office and cementing its place as the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film in history.
“The bunny and the snake will be back!” Goodwin declared to an ecstatic crowd, referencing her character, optimistic rabbit police officer Judy Hopps, and Quan’s pit viper character, Gary De’Snake, who was introduced in the 2025 installment. Jason Bateman is also slated to return as the sly red fox, Nick Wilde, rounding out the core trio.
Expanding the Map Beyond Mammal Metropolis
As chief creative officer Jared Bush noted on the red carpet during the previous film’s promotional cycle, audiences have only scratched the surface of this cinematic universe. “If it goes well, we would spend the rest of our careers in the world of Zootopia,” Bush shared with trade press at the time, emphasizing that the team has only explored a single city on a single continent.
| Film Title | Release Era | Global Box Office Milestone | Key Creative Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zootopia | 2016 | Crossed $1 Billion Worldwide | Introduced Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and the foundational mammal city. |
| Zootopia 2 | 2025 | $1.87 Billion Worldwide | Brought in Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) and explored the reptile population. |
| Zootopia 3 | In Production (D23 Announcement) | Pending | Shifts narrative focus to introduce a bird-centered storyline. |
Speaking at the November 2025 premiere of the second film, she admitted she was actively trying to manifest a quick turnaround for a third outing.
What are your thoughts on the expanding universe? Are you ready to see how the birds of Zootopia shake up the precinct, or do you have a favorite character you are hoping makes a cameo? Sound off in the comments below.
