Zootopia 3 Brings Birds, Leaves City Behind
Disney Animation's Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush confirmed new story elements for the upcoming third installment in the franchise.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Animation
Disney Animation's Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush confirmed details about Zootopia 3, which is in development and will introduce birds and a story that travels outside Zootopia City. The film was announced in August at Disney's D23, following the debut of Zootopia 2 in theaters late last year.
Why it matters
The confirmation offers U.S. audiences the first concrete look at how the franchise plans to expand after the second film's theatrical run. Creators said they wanted to remain in the Zootopia world and tell more stories following the first film's success.
The film was announced in August 2026 at Disney's D23 event and is currently in development. Its release date remains flexible, and no specific year has been locked in by the studio.
The players
Jared Bush
Jared Bush is the Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation and a longtime writer and director associated with the studio's animated features.
Disney Animation
Disney Animation is the animation division of The Walt Disney Company, responsible for feature films including the Zootopia franchise.
The details
Birds will be introduced in Zootopia 3, and the story will travel outside Zootopia City for the first time in the franchise. Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, and Ke Huy Quan are seemingly confirmed to reprise their roles, with Judy and Nick expected to remain at the center of the story. Story development is taking considerable time to get right.
Timeline
Late 2025: Zootopia 2 debuted in theaters.
August 2026: Zootopia 3 was announced at Disney's D23.
November 1, 2026: Jared Bush's interview about Zootopia 3 was published.
Franchise Expansion
Zootopia 3 extends the world introduced in the 2016 original, following the same path Disney has taken with its sequels after the first film's strong performance. The new film's move beyond Zootopia City marks a deliberate expansion of the franchise's scope.
Viewers can expect Zootopia 3 in theaters once a release date is set, though the timing remains flexible. Fans of the franchise will need to wait for official studio announcements to confirm when and where the film will be available.
The takeaway
The Zootopia franchise is moving into new territory with birds and a broader setting, signaling that Disney sees room for more stories beyond the original city. Fans should watch for official release details as development continues.
Further reading
For more on upcoming family films, see the Animation section.
