BAFTA 2026: Zootopia 2 Wins Best Animated Film as One Battle After Another Dominates Awards Night
Reuters
The 79th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards celebrated a major win for animated cinema as Zootopia 2 took home the Best Animated Film honour. Co-creator Jared Bush and producer Yvett Merino accepted the award, thanking Walt Disney Animation Studios and the film’s cast for bringing the sequel’s message of inclusivity and empathy to life.
During the acceptance speech, Bush reflected on the film’s central theme — celebrating differences — noting that storytelling can help audiences see diversity as a strength rather than a challenge.
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the sequel reunites fan-favourite characters from the original franchise. The story follows rabbit police officer voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and fox partner voiced by Jason Bateman as they investigate a new mystery involving a reptilian character voiced by Ke Huy Quan.
The original Zootopia became one of the highest-grossing animated films globally and was widely praised for its social commentary on prejudice and coexistence. The sequel builds on that foundation, expanding the world while maintaining its emotional core.
While Zootopia 2 captured the animated spotlight, the evening was largely dominated by One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film secured six awards, including Best Film and Best Director, reinforcing its status as the night’s biggest winner.
The drama follows a group of former revolutionaries who reunite to rescue a comrade’s daughter when a past enemy resurfaces. Its ensemble cast — including Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and newcomer Chase Infiniti — contributed to strong critical momentum.
Entering the ceremony with 14 nominations, the film was among the most nominated titles in BAFTA history, approaching the long-standing record set by Gandhi. The awards ceremony streamed on Lionsgate Play, drawing global viewership.
Industry observers now see the film as a major contender for the upcoming Academy Awards, where it holds 13 nominations and is expected to compete strongly in major categories, including Best Actor and Best Director.
For Disney, Zootopia 2’s BAFTA win strengthens its awards-season momentum and reinforces the franchise’s cultural relevance. Animated storytelling with social themes continues to resonate with audiences and awards bodies alike, suggesting sustained global appeal for the sequel.
Meanwhile, the strong BAFTA performance of One Battle After Another positions it as a key player heading into the Oscars, where awards momentum often translates into box office resurgence and long-term critical recognition.
As awards season progresses, both films represent different but equally influential storytelling trends — animation exploring social themes and prestige drama focusing on political narratives.
BAFTA 2026 highlighted the diversity of contemporary cinema, with Zootopia 2 celebrating inclusive storytelling and One Battle After Another dominating major categories. Together, their success reflects an industry balancing emotional narratives with large-scale cinematic ambition.