It was meant to be a long-awaited family-friendly sequel.
But now, Zootopia 2 is facing intense backlash — and it’s all thanks to a fox, a bunny, and a relationship that may have crossed the line.
A Sequel No One Expected — And For All the Wrong Reasons
Fans of the original Zootopia fell in love with the dynamic between Officer Judy Hopps, the ever-determined bunny cop, and Nick Wilde, the sly but lovable fox. Their friendship — filled with quick banter and mutual respect — was part of what made the first film so iconic.
But in Zootopia 2, that friendship is starting to look like something more. A growing number of viewers — especially parents — are accusing the film of sneaking in romantic tension and even suggestive humor, leaving many to wonder:
Is this still a children’s movie?
From Flirty Banter to Innuendo?
The sequel doesn't come right out and say Judy and Nick are romantically involved. But it doesn’t exactly shy away from it either. One eyebrow-raising moment features Judy blushing after a late-night stakeout with Nick, followed by a line that’s left many parents squirming:
“You always know how to get under my fur, Nick.”
Another scene has Nick giving Judy a long, meaningful look as soft jazz plays in the background — subtle for adults, maybe — but unmistakable once you notice the subtext.
Social media erupted after the film’s release, with one parent tweeting:
“What happened to solving crimes and promoting inclusion?
Now it’s all moody lighting and bunny-fox tension. It’s weird.”
A Dangerous Trend in Family Films?
Some critics argue that this is part of a larger shift in children’s media — a slow but deliberate injection of romantic subplots between unlikely pairs, dressed up as “emotional complexity.”
A former Disney animator, speaking under condition of anonymity, told The Daily Scoop:
“The Judy-Nick chemistry was always fan-fueled, but it was never meant to be canon.
Now they’re flirting with it — literally. It feels like a nod to fanfiction, not storytelling.”
Not Everyone’s Laughing
While some older fans welcome the added emotional depth, many parents are expressing outrage over the film’s tone. Critics point to scenes that “toe the line of appropriateness”, like one where Nick jokingly refers to “nocturnal instincts” while gazing at Judy.
“It’s clever — too clever,” one reviewer said.
“Adults catch the innuendo. Kids don’t. Or worse — they do.”
Is This What Kids Asked For?
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde were never intended as a romantic duo — at least, not officially. But Zootopia 2 seems to suggest otherwise, leaving audiences split:
Is this the natural evolution of two close friends, or is it Disney pandering to an internet fandom at the expense of family appropriateness?
What’s Next for Judy and Nick?
As the controversy grows, so do calls from parenting groups to re-evaluate the film’s PG rating, or even issue a re-edit for streaming platforms.
Disney has yet to comment on the backlash. But one thing is clear:
“If foxes and bunnies are getting flirty on screen,
what’s stopping the next ‘kids’ movie from doing more?”
Stay tuned as Zootopia 2 continues to dominate headlines — but not for the reasons anyone expected.
Because when Judy Hopps starts blushing and Nick Wilde starts flirting, you can’t help but ask:
Is this still a story about animals… or are they just a little too human now?