Disney’s Zootopia 2 has stormed the global box office with a record-setting debut, delivering one of the biggest animated openings in cinematic history.
According to studio estimates released Sunday, the highly anticipated sequel earned $96 million domestically over the three-day weekend and $156 million over the full five-day Thanksgiving frame. Globally, the animated feature has already amassed a staggering $556 million since its Wednesday launch — marking the highest international opening ever for an animated film and the fourth-largest global debut of all time across all genres.
The film’s spectacular launch also makes Zootopia 2 the top international opener of 2025, a much-needed boost for the global box office after a sluggish year for theatrical releases.
Disney’s Sequel Dominates Thanksgiving Weekend
Nearly a decade after the original Zootopia charmed audiences with its witty take on urban animal life, Zootopia 2 has roared back to life with even bigger numbers. The 2016 original opened to $75 million domestically and went on to gross over $1 billion worldwide, but its sequel has already exceeded expectations on every front.
Featuring the return of Ginnifer Goodwin as Officer Judy Hopps and Jason Bateman as the smooth-talking fox Nick Wilde, Zootopia 2 continues the duo’s adventures in the vibrant animal metropolis — this time with higher stakes, deeper themes, and even more dazzling animation.
The film’s strong performance solidifies Disney’s grip on the Thanksgiving holiday frame, where it has historically dominated with titles like Frozen, Coco, and Encanto.
‘Wicked: For Good’ Holds Strong in Second Place
Meanwhile, Universal’s Wicked: For Good, the second installment of the studio’s Wicked saga, continued its winning streak. The film earned $62.8 million in its second weekend, pushing its North American total to $270.4 million and its international gross to $393 million.
Together, Zootopia 2 and Wicked: For Good helped turn Thanksgiving weekend into one of the strongest box office periods of the year, signaling renewed audience enthusiasm for blockbuster event films.
Top 10 Weekend Box Office (Estimated)
- Zootopia 2 — $96.8 million
- Wicked: For Good — $62.8 million
- Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — $7 million
- Predator: Badlands — $4.8 million
- The Running Man — $3.7 million
- Eternity — $3.2 million
- Rental Family — $2.1 million
- Hamnet — $880,000
- Sisu: Road to Revenge — $810,000
- Nuremberg — $749,325
Disney Eyes Long-Term Success
With glowing audience reactions and a strong family turnout, analysts expect Zootopia 2 to maintain its momentum through the holiday season. The sequel’s impressive international performance — driven by major markets including China, Japan, and the U.K. — suggests it could easily surpass the billion-dollar mark in the coming weeks.
The film’s success not only revitalizes Disney’s animation division but also reinforces the enduring appeal of its anthropomorphic heroes. As families continue to flock to theaters, Zootopia 2 looks set to dominate December’s global box office charts.
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