The original Zootopia won Best Animated Feature at the 89th Academy Awards, so it’s hardly surprising that its sequel has returned to the Oscars lineup. In most years, Zootopia 2 might even be a serious contender to win. But with KPop Demon Hunters emerging as the animated phenomenon of 2025—and the clear frontrunner in the category—the sequel finds itself in a much tougher race.

I wasn’t especially fond of the original Zootopia. For reasons I’ve never fully been able to articulate, it simply didn’t connect with me. The sequel, however, moves in a direction I found more engaging. Perhaps that’s because it no longer has to spend time on extensive world-building and can instead take bigger narrative swings. Perhaps it’s due to Ke Huy Quan’s continued career resurgence—his character, Gary De’Snake, is one of the film’s highlights, and his vocal performance adds both humor and heart. Or perhaps it’s the film’s more pointed sociopolitical undertones, particularly in its depiction of the snake community—longtime residents of Zootopia who are marginalized and displaced by powerful financial interests. Whatever the combination of factors, I found myself far more invested this time around.

Still, this appears to be KPop Demon Hunters’ award to lose. Its cultural footprint has been enormous, and its dominance throughout the season suggests little vulnerability. It’s not often that the Disney brand is overshadowed in this category, but this year, Netflix seems poised to claim the Animated Feature crown.