Random 'Zootopia' Fan Theories That Make A Lot Of Sense (13 items)

(#10) Zootopia Was Made to Rebrand Splash Mountain

To many, the most iconic ride at Disneyland is Splash Mountain, the log flume plumment that is pretty much designed to make your next thirty minutes at the park wet ones. It is also infamous for being themed on one of Disney's most controversial movies, Song of the South. Redditor /u/nicksolo theorizes that the entire point of making Zooptopia was to rebrand the ride. The two main characters, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, could easily replace the ride's Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox, and on the whole, the setting could easily take on a Zootopia skin without too much work. This theory isn't all that far-flung, especially when you consider Disney is opening their first Zootopia-themed area in Shanghai.
(#2) The Vole Mafia Runs The Zootopia Police Force

We're told that the reason small mammals cannot join the Zootopia Police Department (at least until Judy does) is because of their size and strength. But if you ask Redditor /u/flagnut1, there's a much seedier force at work: the vole mafia controls the police force. The theory justifies this claim by suggesting that the powerful crime family has infiltrated the higher ups at the ZPD and convinced them to prohibit pint-sized officers. In doing so, there is no one small enough to police the voles and their criminal enterprise can carry on unchecked. The Redditor does point out, though, that this dynamic might be changing now that Judy has befriended Mr. Big!
(#9) Emmitt Otterton Is A Druggie

Emmitt Otterton is in the midst of a midlife crisis, and his main outlet to let loose is microdosing Night Howlers. From Redditor /u/JonnyAU, this theory paints a portrait of the seemingly mild-mannered family man that is much different than what we see on screen. Using his connections as a florist, Emmitt is able to obtain Night Howlers and share them in low doses amongst other adventurous souls at the Naturalist Club. In this theory that must be read in-full to truly appreciate, ol' Otterton is essentially the Walter White of Zootopia, pushing himself and his narcotic enterprise to its limits.
(#11) Zootopia Is The Future of Redwall

Where another theory on this list suggest that the middle ages of Zootopia took place during the time of Disney's Robin Hood, Redditor /u/theotherghostgirl thinks this era existed outside of the Mouse House. In this theory, the classic children's book series Redwall is the true medieval period of Zootopia. The Redditor points out that any discrepensies between the size and scale of the two worlds can probably be written off by the fact that A) the recorded history of the Redwall era is probably somewhat inaccurate, and B) improved health and wellness standards have changed the physical nature of animals in Zootopia.
(#6) 'Zootopia' Is Socialist; 'Sing' Is Capitalist

In a theory that is perhaps more allegorical research than a wild idea, Redditor /u/Demokirby points out that Zootopia functions as an ideal socialist society, where another film with an economy of animals, Sing, is driven by capitalism. In Sing, everything in the world appears to be a standardized human size, so it can be difficult for small animals like mice to use things like stairs and doors. Conversely, Zootopia is built to accommodate its varied residents, including an entire neighborhood built specifically for rodents. On another note, Zootopia's plot very directly deals with how the government is trying to diversify its police force, where in Sing the only way to make life better for one's self is with money.
(#8) Why There Are No Cats Or Dogs In Zootopia

It does seem odd that Zootopia has a complete lack of domesticated animals. Where are the doggos and kitty cats? Redditor /u/thundersaurus_sex has an idea, and it involves a deeper backstory than the predotor/prey alliance of the movie's actual plot. The theory sugggests that there was a bloody revolution called the Great Purge, where animals fought against their human captors. The humans were eventually wiped out entirely, along with their only animal comrades, the dogs and cats.

The Redditor notes that there is a corgi in the UK version of the film, but he must have been a Benedict Arf-old that defected to the animal forces during the great war.