Zootopia 2 Ending Explained: What Is Gary De'Snake After ...

Zootopia 2 Ending Explained: What Is Gary De'Snake After (And Why It Matters)

Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps in Partner Therapy In Zootopia 2

By Brandon Zachary Published 3 minutes ago Brandon Zachary is a Lead Writer for Screen Rant's New Movie Team. He also writes or has written for Comicbook.com, CBR, That Hashtag Show, Just Watch, and TVBrittanyF. Brandon is an Emerging Screenwriters Semi-Finalist, co-writer of a Screencraft Quarter-Finalist, a seasoned on-screen interviewer, and a MASSIVE nerd. You can reach him at [email protected] Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The following contains spoilers for Zootopia 2Zootopia 2 builds on the social commentary of the first film to tell a new story about the ways corrupt actors can splinter communities for their own gain. The film brings back Judy and Nick, an unlikely duo who now find themselves at the center of a manhunt for a snake loose in the city.

Along the way, they discover why reptiles were ostracized from the city in the first place, and how the conspiracy that set it off has only continued to fester. This sets off the film's emotional and satisfying climax, which brings another layer of commentary to the first film's clear political allegories.

Gary De'Snake's Mission Reveals A Harsh Truth About Zootopia

Gary De'Snake holding a whimsical snake rattle in his tail in Zootopia 2

Gary De'Snake in Zootopia 2

At the center of Zootopia 2 is the hunt for the patent paper that proves that a snake was responsible for the construction of Zootopia's weather management system, in turn revealing an underlying conspiracy about the entire city. Within the world of Zootopia, Ebenezer Lynxley is heralded as a legendary inventor.

Many citizens believe he was the one responsible for the construction of the walls that manage and maintain the various temperatures in the different districts, which allows for all sorts of species to live together. However, the design was actually developed by Gary De'Snake's great-grandmother, Agnes.

Ebenzer took credit for the idea, tried to destroy the original patent, and then killed his tortoise maid to frame Agnes. This in turn spiraled into overt prejudice against repitles, leading to their district being shut down and absorbed into the Lynxley-controlled Tundra Town. Most of the reptiles fled or went into hiding.

This gives Zootopia 2 several new political undercurrents. Building off the themes about prejudice in the first film, Zootopia 2 forces the cast to reckon with their complicity in a lie, told by the Lynxley family and maintained for generations. It's also a parallel for Native tribes forced off their land to make way for American expansion.

Gary's entire mission in the film is to find that patent, which he could then use to prove his family's innocence and that reptiles aren't a threat. With help from Nick and Judy, he's able to accomplish this and help bring down the Lynxleys, in turn opening the city back up to reptiles.

Pawbert Lynxley's Betrayal, Explained

Judy Hopps looking at something alongside two other characters in Zootopia 2

Judy Hopps looking at something in Zootopia 2

At the core of that arc is Pawbert Lynxley. Initially presented as a well-meaning but clumsy dope, Pawbert seems to be the only member of his family willing to expose the truth. He helps Gary escape from the mansion when his plan to steal Ebenzer's diary is thwarted, and eventually helps Judy as well.

However, it's all a front so that Pawbert can find and destroy the patent. Along the way, he leaves Gary to die in the cold and poisons Judy, intending to frame a snake just like his ancestor. What makes this surprising is that Pawbert isn't revealed to be a cold, calculating villain, like the first film's Bellweather.

Pawbert is apologetic when he attacks Judy, explaining that this is his way to prove to his ruthless family that he genuinely does belong with them. Pawbert grows more unstable as the climax continues, but even then, he seems to be solely focused on his efforts to be accepted, regardless of the cost.

Pawbert works both as a direct foil to Judy and as part of the film's thematic throughline. Underestimated, earnest, and seemingly well-meaning, Pawbert and Judy quickly seem to bond. However, while Judy wants to make the world a better place, Pawbert just wants to be accepted into the corrupt system around him.

Pawbert is the film's primary example of someone who accepts a broken system for their own sake. While Pawbert may have sympathetic qualities and is understandable, none of it excuses his actions or complicity in his family's plans to continue a cover-up that involves murder, extortion, and cruelty.

Pawbert is Zootopia 2's most striking political commentary, a fail son who ignores his empathy for a chance to be accepted by a family that never even liked him. He's every person who's taken part in a cover-up, cruel expansionist push, or heartless political scheme, all for the sake of his personal happiness and security.

The True Meaning Of Zootopia 2

Nick and Judy dressed up and smiling playfully at each other in Zootopia 2

Nick and Judy in Zootopia 2

At the core of Zootopia 2 is the dynamic between Nick and Judy. While they've moved beyond their initial antagonism from the first film, they still naturally bristle against one another. This leads many citizens of Zootopia (and even Judy herself) to question whether the two can actually work as partners.

However, it is those differences that make them so effective. Their differences improve them. Judy inspires Nick to try and make the world a better place, while Nick is there to risk his life so he can help save her when things get out of hand. It's notable that when they are on the same page, they save the day.

This speaks to an underlying theme of the entire film, which highlights how Zootopia needs to come together for its own sake. When they are divided, families like the Lynxleys are able to take control of the city, command the government, and take over entire districts. Divided, the authorities carry out corrupt orders and indulge in harsh prejudices.

This is best represented by Captain Hoggbottom, an officer who takes charge of the manhunt for Gary, Judy, and Nick after Chief Bogo is put in the hospital. She dislikes Nick and disrespects Judy, and is quick to lead the charge after them. However, she's reluctant to use lethal force and even helps stop Pawbert in the end.

When the city is turned against itself, forces like the Lynxleys can not only take control of the community but also cover up misdeeds, all at the cost of innocent lives. When the town refuses to abide (such as when Mayor Brian Winddancer defies them and helps the Zootopia PD), their century-long conspiracy crumbles in less than a day.

Just as Judy and Nick need to be honest with one another and willing to trust in one another, the whole of Zootopia needs to come together to break free from the family that's been controlling their society for years. Zootopia 2 is very much about that challenge and the importance of breaking down systems that only benefit the cruel.

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Like Follow Followed Zootopia 2 PG Family Comedy Crime Adventure Animation Release Date November 26, 2025 Director Byron Howard, Jared Bush Writers Jared Bush

Cast

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Ginnifer Goodwin Judy Hopps (voice)
Jason Bateman Nick Wilde (voice)
Ke Huy Quan Gary De'Snake (voice)
Jenny Slate Dawn Bellwether (voice)

Genres Family, Comedy, Crime, Adventure, Animation Powered by

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Zootopia 2

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