Disney’s highly anticipated animated sequel, Zootopia 2, has exploded onto the global box office scene, achieving an unprecedented $556 million in its opening weekend. This colossal debut firmly positions the Walt Disney Animation Studios production in an elite league, marking it as the fourth-highest global opening of all time, alongside cinematic titans like Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home. From its record-shattering performance in China to its robust Thanksgiving weekend success in North America, Zootopia 2 has proven to be an undeniable critical and commercial phenomenon, captivating audiences worldwide and setting new benchmarks for animated films.
Zootopia 2 Unleashes Unprecedented Global Box Office Fury
The sheer scale of Zootopia 2‘s opening weekend is remarkable, with its $556 million global haul making it the most significant film launch of 2025. This incredible figure comprises $400 million from international markets and a strong $156 million domestically. The film’s success highlights not only the enduring appeal of its charming animal metropolis but also a strong global appetite for high-quality, family-friendly animation. Industry analysts are closely watching its trajectory, noting its potential to join the exclusive club of films grossing over $1.9 billion globally.
Crushing Records Worldwide
Zootopia 2 has not just performed well; it has rewritten the record books for animated cinema. Its opening weekend is officially the highest global animated opening of all time, shattering previous records in the same suite of markets. Furthermore, it marks the highest global opening ever for Walt Disney Animation Studios and the biggest worldwide start for any film released in 2025. This sequel’s performance was a staggering 239% ahead of its beloved predecessor, the original Zootopia, signaling a massive expansion of its fanbase and brand power. The film now proudly holds five of the top slots for animated sequel openings, cementing Disney’s dominance in the genre.
Domestic vs. International Powerhouse
While its domestic numbers were impressive, the true driver of Zootopia 2‘s historic opening was its international performance. Earning $400 million from overseas territories demonstrates the film’s universal appeal and Disney’s effective global distribution strategy. This international strength, particularly in key emerging markets, has been crucial in propelling Zootopia 2 into the top echelons of box office history.
China: The Unstoppable Engine of Success
A pivotal factor in Zootopia 2‘s record-breaking global debut was its extraordinary performance in China. The film amassed an astonishing $272 million in the Chinese market alone within its first five days. This single territory’s contribution underscores its critical importance to Hollywood blockbusters, especially given previous concerns about the reliability of the Chinese box office for U.S. productions.
Record-Breaking Performance in a Key Market
Zootopia 2 didn’t just meet expectations in China; it wildly exceeded them. It now stands as the biggest non-local animated opening ever in the country. Furthermore, it ranks as the second-biggest non-local debut of all time in China, surpassed only by Avengers: Endgame, and the sixth-largest start overall when including local titles. This rapid success meant the sequel surpassed the entire lifetime gross of the first Zootopia ($236 million) in China in just a few days. The film also logged China’s biggest single-day gross for a Hollywood movie in local currency terms, even surpassing Avengers: Endgame on its Saturday run. A significant boost to the property’s appeal in China came from the 2023 opening of a “Zootopia Land” at the Shanghai Disneyland theme park, proving the power of synergistic marketing.
Audience Reception and Future Projections in China
The enthusiastic reception from Chinese audiences is palpable, with a phenomenal Maoyan audience score of 9.7 and a Douban critical ranking of 8.7. These scores not only indicate overwhelming positivity but also surpass those of the original Zootopia and other animated hits like Inside Out and Moana 2. Such strong word-of-mouth bodes well for its continued run, with Maoyan’s lifetime estimate for Zootopia 2 in China now projecting a staggering RMB 3.2 billion (approximately $450 million).
North American Triumphs Over Thanksgiving Weekend
While international markets spearheaded the global tally, Zootopia 2 also delivered a formidable performance during the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend in North America. The film demonstrated remarkable consistency and drawing power throughout the festive period.
Chart-Topping Holiday Earnings
On Black Friday, Zootopia 2 scored an impressive $38.5 million, marking it as the second-highest grossing film for that specific day in history. It also performed strongly on Thanksgiving Day, bringing in $19.7 million. Although it trailed Moana 2‘s exceptional Black Friday and Thanksgiving earnings from the previous year, Zootopia 2‘s numbers are still among the best for the holiday. Following its strong Wednesday opening of $39.5 million, the sequel is projected to exceed $158 million in total earnings within its first five days of release in North America. This robust domestic showing contributed significantly to its overall global triumph.
Surpassing Expectations
Initial projections had Zootopia 2 accumulating between $125 million and $150 million over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The film has clearly surpassed these expectations, underscoring significant pent-up demand for quality family entertainment. It marks the biggest debut for an animated film since Moana 2 last November, reaffirming the vitality of the animation genre in the domestic market.
Critical Acclaim Meets Audience Love
Beyond its financial triumph, Zootopia 2 has also garnered widespread critical acclaim and overwhelmingly positive audience reception. This combination of commercial success and artistic approval further solidifies its status as a cinematic highlight of the year.
A “Certified Fresh” Success Story
Critics aggregated on Rotten Tomatoes awarded Zootopia 2 a “Certified Fresh” rating of 91 percent, reflecting strong positive reviews across the board. Audience feedback was even more enthusiastic, with a remarkable 96 percent positive ranking. Variety’s chief film critic, Peter Debruge, praised the sequel as a “worthy successor,” highlighting its “tertiary value as social commentary that makes the franchise so indispensable.” This blend of engaging storytelling, vibrant animation, and meaningful themes resonates deeply with both critics and viewers.
The Enduring Charm of Zootopia
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the film continues the adventures of the beloved rabbit police officer, Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), and the quick-witted con artist fox, Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman). Their latest case sees them investigating the mysterious appearance of a new reptilian resident in the bustling mammal metropolis. The cast is further enhanced by the introduction of a new character, a snake, portrayed by the acclaimed Ke Huy Quan. The film’s ability to weave timely social commentary into an entertaining narrative ensures its continued relevance and broad appeal.
IMAX and the Premium Experience Boom
The record-breaking success of Zootopia 2 also provided a massive boost to the premium large format market, particularly for IMAX. The film contributed significantly to IMAX’s biggest Thanksgiving in history, generating $40.8 million in global ticket sales over five days.
Setting New Benchmarks for Premium Formats
Zootopia 2 became IMAX’s biggest Thanksgiving release, largest November debut, and best animated start ever. It contributed $32 million globally to IMAX’s tally, with $7.6 million from North America and an impressive $24.5 million from overseas, including $20.5 million from China alone. This performance highlights a growing trend among moviegoers to seek out enhanced viewing experiences as an incentive to visit cinemas. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond lauded the film as a “phenomenal one-two punch” for the holiday, emphasizing how it resonated strongly with family audiences and underscored demand for distinctive cinematic entertainment.
“Wicked: For Good” Also Shines, But Zootopia 2 Dominates
While Zootopia 2 was undeniably the reigning champion, Universal’s musical adaptation, Wicked: For Good, also achieved significant success during the same period. In its second weekend, Wicked: For Good added $29 million overseas, contributing to a global weekend total of $92 million. The film has now reached $393.3 million globally, with $122 million from international markets and $270 million domestically. While Wicked is demonstrating a stronger draw with North American audiences, Zootopia 2‘s overall global performance clearly positions it as the dominant force of the holiday season, further illustrating a strong recovery for the theatrical market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Zootopia 2’s global box office performance so significant?
Zootopia 2’s global box office performance is significant due to its record-shattering $556 million opening weekend, positioning it as the fourth-highest global debut of all time. This includes its status as the highest global animated opening ever and the biggest worldwide start for any film in 2025. The film also boasts the largest international animated launch and set numerous records in China, surpassing the original Zootopia’s lifetime gross in that market in just five days, demonstrating exceptional global appeal and commercial power.
Which markets were key to Zootopia 2’s international box office success?
The film’s international box office success was largely driven by an extraordinary performance in China, where it grossed $272 million in five days, making it the biggest non-local animated opening ever. Other key international territories that contributed significantly include France ($14.6 million), Korea ($13.7 million), Mexico ($10.4 million), and Germany ($8.8 million). The opening of a “Zootopia Land” at Shanghai Disneyland also amplified the property’s popularity and contributed to its immense success in China.
How does Zootopia 2 compare to other major animated sequels at the box office?
Zootopia 2 has set new benchmarks for animated sequels, with its opening weekend performing a staggering 239% ahead of its predecessor. It achieved the highest global opening for any animated film in Disney history and now holds the top five slots for animated sequel openings. While it did not surpass Moana 2’s individual Black Friday or Thanksgiving domestic records, its overall global debut of $556 million places it in an elite tier, far exceeding the initial five-day domestic projections and securing its place as a monumental success for Disney Animation.
The Future Looks Bright for Zootopia
Zootopia 2‘s phenomenal global debut is a testament to the power of compelling storytelling, beloved characters, and smart strategic marketing. Its unprecedented box office success, coupled with overwhelming critical and audience adoration, signals a bright future for the franchise and reinforces the enduring appeal of animated cinema. As the film continues its theatrical run, all eyes will be on its journey towards potentially becoming one of the highest-grossing films in history. Don’t miss the chance to experience this record-breaking adventure – secure your tickets to Zootopia 2 today!
References
- variety.com
- deadline.com
- www.thedailybeast.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/fr/news/ni65596959/?ref=nwcart_perm”>www.imdb.com
- variety.com
