Entertainment • Film

Zootopia

Zootopia is a 2016 American animated buddy-cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Zootopia is a 2016 American animated buddy-cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is set in a metropolis populated by anthropomorphic mammals and follows rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and fox con artist Nick Wilde as they investigate a missing-predator case and a broader conspiracy. It is the first installment in the Zootopia franchise and was released in some markets under the alternate title Zootropolis.

Plot

The film centres on Judy Hopps, the first rabbit on the Zootopia Police Department, and Nick Wilde, a con artist fox. Set in a metropolis populated by anthropomorphic mammals, the story involves a missing-predator case and a broader conspiracy that affects the city's social order. Judy and Nick team up to investigate, uncovering layers of prejudice and cooperation along the way.

Production

Zootopia was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and written by Jared Bush and Phil Johnston, with Byron Howard and Rich Moore as directors. Clark Spencer is listed as producer by Disney Animation. The voice cast includes Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, J. K. Simmons, Alan Tudyk and Shakira.

Release and title

The film premiered in March 2016 and was released in the United States on March 4, 2016. In some international markets, including certain English-speaking markets such as Canada through Disney distribution, it was released under the alternate title Zootropolis.

Reception and legacy

Zootopia was widely discussed for its animated adventure format and themes involving prejudice, stereotypes, and cooperation. It also launched a franchise that later expanded to a sequel announced as Zootopia 2.

Key facts

Zootopia is a 2016 animated buddy-cop comedy film set in an anthropomorphic animal city.
The main characters are rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and fox con artist Nick Wilde.
The story involves a missing-predator case and a broader conspiracy.
The film explores themes of prejudice and cooperation.
It launched a franchise with a sequel announced as Zootopia 2.

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Canadian context

Canadian audiences know the film under its alternate title Zootropolis in some markets, and it was widely released in English-speaking markets including Canada through Disney distribution.[1][4]

Frequently asked questions

What is Zootopia?

Zootopia is a 2016 Disney animated buddy-cop comedy film set in a city of anthropomorphic animals.

Who are the main characters in Zootopia?

The main characters are Judy Hopps, a rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde, a fox con artist.

Who directed Zootopia?

Zootopia was directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore.

When was Zootopia released?

It was released in the United States on March 4, 2016.

What is Zootopia called in some markets?

In some markets, the film was released as Zootropolis.

Is Zootopia part of a franchise?

Yes. It is the first film in the Zootopia franchise.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zootopia
Supports: Basic film facts, title variant, cast, plot, and franchise status.
Walt Disney Animation Studios — https://disneyanimation.com/films/zootopia/
Supports: Official studio description, release date, plot premise, and directors.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948356/
Supports: Plot summary and main-character descriptions.
Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zootopia
Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, and production/distributor details.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26443597/
Supports: Existence of the sequel Zootopia 2 and its franchise connection.