Zootopia 2 has set a new box office milestone, overtaking “Frozen 2” to become the highest-grossing animated film in the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios. The studio confirmed the record on Wednesday, as the sequel continued to post strong results worldwide despite a global box office that has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.
The animated feature has generated approximately $1.46 billion in global ticket sales, making it the fifth Disney Animation title to cross the $1 billion mark. The result follows a strong debut during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, a period that traditionally signals the start of Hollywood’s most important box office season.
A significant share of the film’s success has come from China, where “Zootopia 2” has grossed more than $560 million. During its opening weekend in the country, the film accounted for roughly 95% of all movie ticket sales, an unusually dominant performance that underscored the franchise’s enduring popularity with Chinese audiences.
The sequel also delivered a powerful global opening, earning an estimated $556 million worldwide in its first weekend in theaters. The film reunites rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and her partner Nick Wilde as they navigate a new case set in the sprawling animal city introduced in the original “Zootopia,” released in 2016.
Disney’s announcement comes at a time when studios and theater operators are closely watching audience behavior. While attendance has improved since the pandemic, global box office revenues remain below 2019 levels. Against that backdrop, the performance of “Zootopia 2” has been seen as a rare bright spot, particularly during the holiday period, which is typically the second-busiest season for moviegoing.
Industry analysts note that the film’s international appeal, especially in Asia, has played a decisive role in pushing it past previous records. The original “Zootopia” was also a major success in China, and the sequel appears to have built on that momentum, reinforcing Disney Animation’s ability to deliver globally resonant stories.
As the holiday season continues, “Zootopia 2” is expected to remain a key driver of ticket sales for cinemas worldwide, offering a measure of optimism for an industry still working to regain its footing.
