Zootopia 2 Opens to Historic Success Globally
The animated sequel Zootopia 2 has delivered a staggering global opening, raking in an estimated $556 million since its release. This puts it firmly at the top as the biggest international opening ever for an animated film.
Strongest Market: China
Its most impressive performance came in China, where the film pulled in around $272 million in its opening days — making it one of the biggest foreign film debuts in that market. This strong reception is notable especially given recent declines in demand for overseas films in China.
Fast facts:
- Global opening: ~ $556 million
- China opening: ~ $272 million
- US/Canada five-day Thanksgiving weekend gross: ~ $156 million
- North America weekend gross: ~ $96 million
- This launch marks the highest international opening ever for an animated movie
- Zootopia 2 now ranks among the top global debuts of all time across genres
Why the Huge Success?
Several factors contributed to the film's commercial triumph. First, the original “Zootopia” built a loyal global fanbase — especially in China where it previously performed very well. The sequel taps into this nostalgia while also offering fresh animation and storytelling that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Moreover, the timing of the release — coinciding with the global Thanksgiving weekend — helped boost ticket sales, especially in North America. Simultaneously, strong promotional efforts and positive word-of-mouth across international markets amplified its reach.
What This Means for Hollywood
After a challenging year at the box office for many studios, Zootopia 2's performance is being seen as a sign that well-crafted, family-friendly animated films still have strong global appeal. Its success may encourage studios to invest more in animated and international-market-friendly content, particularly given the importance of China as a box office driver.
At this pace, Zootopia 2 has a real shot at passing the billion-dollar mark worldwide — a milestone few animated films reach.