Disney’s Zootopia 2 has launched with incredible force, securing the spot for the fourth-biggest global box office opening in history. Over its extended five-day Thanksgiving debut, the animated sequel earned a massive $559.5 million worldwide, trailing only the colossal openings of Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film brought in $158 million in North America and a stunning $401.5 million from international markets, cementing its status as a global event and the biggest box office debut of 2025.
How The Sequel Broke Box Office Records
The success of Zootopia 2 was not just big—it was historic, breaking numerous records for animated films. It now holds the title for the largest global opening ever for an animated movie, surpassing any previous cartoon debut in Disney’s 102-year history. The film’s global start was a huge 239% increase over the opening of the first Zootopia movie from 2016, marking the biggest jump from an original film to its sequel for any animated franchise.
In North America, the film posted the second-biggest Thanksgiving holiday opening ever, coming in behind only last year’s Moana 2. Industry analysts note that the film played strongly everywhere, with over 60% of its opening weekend audience attending showtimes before 5 PM, showing its strong appeal to families.
“The incredible response to Zootopia 2 reflects both its worldwide appeal and the remarkable work of our filmmakers and cast,” said Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment.
A Massive Global Audience, Led by China
The international box office performance was extraordinary, led by a record-shattering run in China. The film earned over $271 million in China alone during its first five days, which is more than the entire total the first Zootopia earned there during its full run. It scored the second-best opening ever for a non-local film in China, behind only Avengers: Endgame, and set a new record for the highest single-day gross for a Hollywood film in the market.
This worldwide embrace highlights the universal connection audiences feel with the film’s animal characters. Jared Bush, the writer and director of Zootopia 2, noted, “There’s something about animals that people can read themselves into… There’s something very universal about that.”
Why Audiences and Critics Are Responding
Beyond the numbers, Zootopia 2 is winning over crowds. The film earned an A grade from audience polling firm Cinemascore, and holds a 95% positive score from verified audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have also praised it, with the site giving it a 91% “Certified Fresh” rating. The Hollywood Reporter said the sequel “proves more than worth the lengthy wait, knocking it out of the park with its dazzling visuals, sophisticated humor and doses of genuine emotion.”
The story reunites rabbit police officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and fox con artist Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman). This time, they are investigating a mysterious new reptile resident in the city, voiced by Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan. The strong chemistry between the lead characters and the film’s relevant themes are seen as key reasons for its positive word-of-mouth.
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A Major Win for Disney and Theaters
The blockbuster debut is a significant boost for Disney and for movie theaters overall. After a challenging period that saw several high-profile films underperform, Zootopia 2 has energized the holiday season for cinemas. Its opening weekend contributed to one of the strongest Thanksgiving box office periods in years.
The film’s marketing campaign, valued at over $215 million, was supported by 11 major promotional partners including Volkswagen, McDonald’s, and Air Canada, helping to generate massive global awareness.
With this powerful start, box office analysts are confident the film will easily cross the $1 billion mark globally, potentially becoming the second film of 2025 to do so after Lilo & Stitch. Some projections suggest its final total could reach much higher, depending on how well it holds audiences through the December holidays.
When You Can Watch Zootopia 2 at Home
For those waiting to watch from home, the film is currently playing only in theaters. Based on Disney’s recent patterns, Zootopia 2 is expected to become available for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV in late January or early February 2026. Its streaming debut on Disney+ will likely follow a few weeks later, with an estimated arrival in February or March 2026.
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