The box office just witnessed a monumental event, proving that the magic of Walt Disney Animation Studios is alive and thriving. Zootopia 2 has not just opened well; it has delivered a staggering, record-breaking performance, securing an enormous $556 million global opening. This massive debut immediately positions the animated sequel as a global phenomenon and one of the most successful film launches of all time.
Dominating the Holiday Weekend
While the Thanksgiving holiday provided a strong domestic boost, it was the international market that truly sent the film soaring. Over the five-day holiday period, Zootopia 2 earned a powerful $156 million domestically. However, the film’s global power was undeniable, pulling in a whopping $400 million from overseas territories, with China accounting for more than half of that colossal figure. Even looking at the standard three-day weekend, the animated feature brought in just shy of half a billion dollars worldwide.
This historic success means Zootopia 2 has earned its place as the fourth highest global opening of all time for any film, trailing only the MCU titans: Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. With this kind of momentum, a final total surpassing the billion-dollar mark is no longer a hopeful projection—it is a near certainty.
A Litany of Records Smashed
The film’s incredible opening didn’t just break a single record; it obliterated several major industry benchmarks, underscoring its broad and universal appeal:
- Highest Global Animated Opening of All Time (at current rates and same suite of markets).
- Highest Global Debut of 2025.
- Highest Animated Non-Local Opening of All Time in China.
- Highest Global Opening Ever for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
- Highest Global Opening for any Animated Film in Disney History.
- Highest Global Opening for an Animated Sequel Ever.
- Highest Global Sequel Opening since 2021.
Unsurprisingly, Zootopia 2 is the number one movie across the globe, domestically, and internationally for the weekend, establishing a spectacular lead for the holiday corridor.
Disney’s Powerhouse Finale
This historic success for Zootopia 2 sets the stage for an incredibly strong conclusion to 2025 for Disney. The studio is preparing for its next giant release, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire & Ash, which is scheduled to hit theaters on December 19th. Expectations are understandably sky-high for the sci-fi epic. The original Avatar remains the highest-grossing movie of all time (unadjusted for inflation, thanks to its several theatrical runs), having earned a staggering $2.9 billion worldwide. Furthermore, its 2022 sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, brought in a massive $2.3 billion, cementing its spot as the third-highest grossing film in history.
With the unprecedented performance of Zootopia 2 leading the charge into the holiday season, Disney is primed to close out the year with a powerful one-two punch that reasserts its dominance over the global box office.
