Why Zootopia movie has different name in UK as fans spot confusing difference

Zootopia became an instant fan-favourite the moment it first hit cinemas back in March 2016.

And now, almost ten years on and people are still rushing to re-watch the Disney animated animal film, as well as the highly-anticipated sequel that came out in late November.

But did you know it actually has two completely different names?

Before we get into that, for those who aren't familiar with the movie, it follows a rookie bunny cop, Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin), and a cynical fox, Nick (Jason Bateman), who must work together to uncover a conspiracy after 14 predator animals go missing.

And the sequel, Zootopia 2, sees the detective duo find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who turns the mammal metropolis of Zootopia upside down.

Testing their growing partnership like never before, they go under cover in new parts of town to crack the case.

Zootopia 2 just bagged two Golden Globe nominations (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

If you hail from the UK and Ireland, you may well be thinking, what on Earth is Zootopia?

As on this side of the pond, the movie is named Zootropolis, with the second film being Zootropolis 2, not Zootopia 2 - and there's an interesting reason behind it.

According to the BBC, when the film was first released, Disney said that the title had changed so that UK audiences could have a unique name for it, but a Danish zoo and copyright laws may also have played a part.

A spokesman for Disney told ScreenDaily back in 2015: “In the UK we decided to change the US title (Zootopia) to Zootropolis to merely allow the film to have a unique title that works for UK audiences."

However, as we say, Givskud Zoo in Denmark trademarked the term Zootopia as part of their celebrations for their 50th anniversary.

And to make it even more confusing, over in Germany the new name of Zootropolis couldn’t be used there because of a children’s book of that name released in 2010 - so there, it's called Zoomania.

On top of this, the UK version of Zootropolis and Zootropolis 2 also continue to refer to the films’ central location as Zootopia.

So, most of us do use this name anyway, no matter where in the world we are.

Fans are just now realising that the film has two different names (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

But, as to be expected, this hasn't completely stopped the confusion as some people still understandably get mixed up with all the different names floating around.

One Twitter user shared a snap of the movie on Disney+, alongside the caption: "Sorry wtf is Zootropolis?? is it not Zootopia?"

While a second questioned: "Why is zootopia in some countries called zootropolis?"

A third wrote: "I thought I was experiencing psychosis but apparently zootropolis is called zootropia in the us but the uk have decided to advertise it as both."

While a fourth joked: "Zootopia being named Zootropolis in the UK due to copyright issues is the most British thing ever."

But it hasn't stopped people from loving the movie, as the BBC reported that the film has already having made more than $900m (£675m) worldwide in just 12 days.

It's also just earned not one but two Golden Globe nominations – one for Best Motion Picture – Animated, and the other for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.