This image released by Disney shows Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, left, and Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, in a scene from "Zootopia 2." Credit: Disney
“Zootopia 2” has turned the holiday box office into a spectacle. The long-awaited sequel opened to massive numbers worldwide, signalling a rare moment of triumph in a challenging year for theaters.
The film earned $96 million in North America over the weekend and $156 million during the five-day Thanksgiving window. Its global haul reached an extraordinary $556 million since its Wednesday launch, making it the biggest international opening ever for an animated film and one of the top global debuts of any genre this year.
A Milestone Moment for Disney
The sequel returns nearly a decade after the first “Zootopia” charmed viewers and surpassed expectations. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back, and their new adventure appears to be exactly what audiences wanted. Analysts say the film exemplifies how a well-loved franchise can still galvanize global moviegoers.
Its strongest market was China, contributing a massive $272 million — nearly half of its worldwide total. No American animated film has opened bigger there. It also marks the second largest debut for any non-Chinese film in the country, trailing only “Avengers: Endgame.”
China’s Stunning Response
Hollywood’s relationship with Chinese theaters has been unpredictable in recent years due to geopolitical tensions and shifting audience preferences. Many American studios no longer expect strong returns from China. Yet “Zootopia 2” broke through the trend.
The original film, released in China as “Crazy Animal City,” had developed an unusual cult following, earning $236 million. The sequel benefited from this fan base, along with the presence of a dedicated Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland. Whether this renewed success signals a long-term shift or an exception remains to be seen.
‘Wicked: For Good’ Holds Strong
Universal’s “Wicked: For Good,” the second chapter of the Broadway adaptation, continued to shine despite facing Disney’s animated juggernaut. The film brought in another $62.8 million domestically, raising its North American total to $270.4 million. Its international earnings now stand at $393 million.
Together, these two PG-rated sequels helped drive one of the strongest Thanksgiving weekends in years. The five-day frame generated $290 million in total box office revenue, offering a bright spot in an otherwise sluggish year.
Signs of a Strong Finish
Industry experts believe this surge could build momentum for the final stretch of 2025. Major releases such as “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” are still on the way. Analysts say a strong December could stabilize what has been an uneven year for Hollywood.
Awards Contenders Enter the Conversation
Meanwhile, “Hamnet,” a likely awards-season frontrunner directed by Chloé Zhao, debuted impressively in limited release. It earned $1.35 million from Wednesday to Sunday across only 119 theaters. Its strong per-theater numbers place it among the weekend’s top performers. The film expands nationwide next week.
Weekend Box Office Leaders
- “Zootopia 2,” $96.8M
- “Wicked: For Good,” $62.8M
- “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” $7M
- “Predator: Badlands,” $4.8M
- “The Running Man,” $3.7M
- “Eternity,” $3.2M
- “Rental Family,” $2.1M
- “Hamnet,” $880,000
- “Sisu: Road to Revenge,” $810,000
- “Nuremberg,” $749,325
