Fans of Disney’s Zootopia franchise finally have reason to celebrate. After the record-breaking success of Zootopia 2, the studio is giving encouraging hints that Zootopia 3 is officially in the works—and it won’t take nearly as long to arrive as the previous sequel.
Zootopia 3 Won’t Keep Fans Waiting Nine Years
During a recent Q&A on Weibo with Zootopia 2 co-director Jared Bush, who also serves as Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, questions about the next installment were addressed directly. Bush and co-director Byron Howard confirmed that Zootopia 3 is happening and promised fans a much shorter gap between releases.
“Byron likes to take his time (laughs),” Bush joked. “But nine years was too long. We promise the next one won’t take that long.”
Bush explained that Zootopia 3 is currently in the “idea exploration” stage, which typically consumes the first 2-3 years of a five-year production cycle. If the schedule holds, audiences could see Zootopia 3 hit theaters around 2030—a much faster turnaround than the near-decade wait after the original film.
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New Storylines Could Explore Birds
While official plot details are under wraps, Bush teased the possibility of exploring an entirely new animal group. When asked if birds would play a central role, he cryptically hinted at a connection:
“Good catch! We explored reptiles in the second movie, and since a bird feather appears at the end of Zootopia 2, I’d say it definitely means something.”
This suggests Disney may continue its approach of using each sequel to dive into a new biome and community, offering fresh visual and thematic opportunities while maintaining Zootopia’s unique allegorical storytelling.
Expanding Zootopia Beyond Theaters
Fans may also see more Zootopia content outside of feature films. When asked about spin-offs and animated shorts like Zootopia+, Howard expressed enthusiasm for exploring side stories:
“I really love Zootopia+, especially Mr. Big’s backstory. Some characters could have their own shows, like Officer Cheetah or Deputy Mayor Goat. So, yeah, maybe?”
This hints at the potential for additional series or short films, further building the Zootopia universe for Disney+ audiences.
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What This Means for Disney
Zootopia 2’s worldwide success—earning over $1 billion globally and $500 million in China alone—has given Disney confidence to treat the franchise as a long-term property. Instead of a one-off hit, Zootopia is being positioned alongside other major franchises like Toy Story and Moana, promising years of storytelling and creative expansion.
Disclaimer: All release dates, plot details, and character developments are subject to change. Fans should follow official Disney announcements for the latest updates on Zootopia 3.
