Zootopia 2 breaks records with US$556 million in global debut and dominates box office in the US and China – Mix Vale

Walt Disney Animation Studios released Zootopia 2 on November 26, 2025, coinciding with the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. The film, directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, grossed $156 million in North America during its five-day release. This performance positions the sequel as the second biggest Thanksgiving release of all time, behind only 2024’s Moana 2.

Globally, the feature film earned US$556 million, including US$400 million in international markets. The success stems from strong reception in regions such as China, where the title broke records for animated Hollywood productions. Analysts highlight family appeal and positive reviews as key factors in early performance.

The plot follows Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, and Nick Wilde, voice of Jason Bateman, on a new investigation into the animal metropolis. A mysterious reptilian character, played by Ke Huy Quan, introduces new elements to the plot. The production, with an estimated budget of US$150 million, has already recovered more than triple its costs.

• Biggest animated opening in history, surpassing Super Mario Bros.: The Movie (2023) with US$375.6 million.
• Fourth biggest global debut overall, behind Avengers: Endgame and other blockbusters.
• Daily box office record for animations in several countries, including France and South Korea.

Performance in the United States boosts industry

The North American market recorded US$96.8 million in the traditional three-day weekend for Zootopia 2. This figure surpasses the US$75 million of the original debut in 2016. The long holiday brought the total to US$156 million, with US$38.5 million on Black Friday alone.

Cinemas in rural and urban areas saw a 36% increase in occupancy for the title. Matinee sessions represented 60% of sales, attracting families during the festive period. Disney promoted the film with 11 partners, generating more than $215 million in media value.

The performance contrasts with recent releases from Marvel and Pixar, which faced declines. Zootopia 2 revitalizes the holiday calendar, setting the stage for Avatar: Fire and Ash on December 19th.

China leads international markets with records

Zootopia 2 opened in China on November 27, 2025, Beijing local time, and earned US$272 million in just a few days. This amount establishes the biggest opening for a foreign animated film in the country. The film surpassed the accumulated total of the first Zootopia in just five days.

Chinese audiences contributed to more than 50 million tickets sold in six days. Analysts attribute the success to cultural adaptation and accessible humor. The film achieved the ninth biggest single day at the box office for any production, local or imported.

Other Asian markets, such as South Korea and Taiwan, recorded similar spikes. In Europe, France and Switzerland saw the biggest debuts of 2025 for Motion Picture Association titles.

The international total reflects a 239% growth compared to the original sequence. Emerging regions added an extra US$29.4 million in the period.

Comparison with the original highlights evolution

The first Zootopia, released in March 2016, racked up $1.02 billion globally after a $75 million opening domestically. Zootopia 2 multiplies those initial numbers by more than seven times over the extended weekend. The sequel has already surpassed the cumulative total of its predecessor in selected markets.

Technical advances in animation and diverse voice acting drive accessibility. Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan adds appeal in inclusive storytelling. Critics note greater depth in social themes, keeping the tone light.

Projections indicate potential for US$1 billion in a few weeks, with a multiplier of four times the opening. The absence of direct competitors favors longevity in cinemas.

Success factors in public reception

Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes place Zootopia 2 with the highest rating for Disney animations in four years. Viewers praise the balance between action and messages about diversity. Families represent 70% of the initial audience, with repetitions in 20% of sessions.

Promotional campaigns included toys and events in more than 100,000 retail locations. Partnerships generated 3.7 billion online impressions. The film stands out in IMAX formats, with US$31.8 million global opening.

In Brazil, Zootopia 2 topped the box office since its premiere on November 28, São Paulo local time. Domestic collection reflects global trends, with a focus on afternoon hours.

Records broken in multiple categories

Zootopia 2 sets milestones in several metrics during its debut. The film marks the biggest opening for directors Bush and Howard, as well as records for Goodwin and Bateman.

• Biggest single day for MPA animations, with $104 million on Saturday.
• Fifth biggest opening in South Korea for animations.
• Midnight record in China for Hollywood.

These achievements position the title as the biggest release of 2025 so far. Compared to Frozen II, from 2019, the performance in five days is 25% higher.

Internationally, the film leads in 37 markets, including the historic top 10 in animated box office.

Outlook for the year-end calendar

Zootopia 2’s strength lifts November 2025 box office to $297M by holiday. Wicked: For Good, in second place, added US$93 million in the period. Together, the bonds drive post-pandemic recovery.

Expectations point to Disney dominance in the quarter. The studio plans streaming expansions after the theatrical cycle. Markets such as India and Mexico expect peaks in the coming weeks.

Success reinforces investments in family sequences. Analysts monitor audience retention beyond the initial holiday.

Zootopia 2 continues to be shown in cinemas worldwide, with sessions adapted to local times in each region.