Disney and Pixar seem to have found their golden touch once again. The long wait for the return to the mammal metropolis is over and the results are staggering. Zootopia 2 has officially crossed the $100 million mark globally in less than 48 hours. A massive surge from Chinese theaters propelled this victory. The sequel brings back Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in a box office debut that history will remember.
Global Box Office Explosion
The numbers for the Wednesday opening are nothing short of spectacular. Walt Disney Animation released the film just in time for the holiday rush.
It earned a massive $81.1 million worldwide on its very first day. The domestic box office in North America contributed a solid $39.5 million to this pot. However, the international story is where things get really interesting.
Overseas markets pitched in $41.6 million on Wednesday alone. This immediate success proves that the franchise has not lost its global appeal over the last decade.
The film broke the $100 million ceiling by Thursday morning thanks to continued momentum.
Analysts suggest this is exactly the win Disney needed this year. The studio has faced stiff competition recently. But this Thanksgiving release slot has proven to be a goldmine once again.
Here is a snapshot of the opening day performance:
- Global Total: $81.1 Million
- Domestic Share: $39.5 Million
- International Share: $41.6 Million
- Top International Market: China
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Zootopia 2 global box office records chart background
China Sets New Records
The biggest headline comes from the Middle Kingdom. China has always been a strong market for the Zootopia brand. But nobody expected a $34 million opening day.
This figure sets a brand new record for any Hollywood animated title released in the country. It also marks the strongest launch for a studio film in China since May 2021.
The momentum did not stop on Wednesday. Thursday updates show the film added another RMB 143 million. That is roughly $20 million in a single day.
“The Chinese market has fully embraced the return to Zootopia, signaling a massive recovery for Hollywood animation in the region.”
This performance is critical. It shows that Chinese audiences are willing to return to theaters for Western content if the story resonates. The first movie was a cultural phenomenon there and the sequel is following in its footsteps.
Winning Over The World
It is not just China and the US that are celebrating. The movie is dominating charts across Europe and Asia.
Zootopia 2 took the number one spot in France, Germany, Italy, and Korea during its opening window. Each market showed significant growth compared to previous Disney releases.
- France: Recorded a $2.4 million day. This makes it the second biggest opening of 2025 right behind Lilo & Stitch.
- Korea: Added $1.1 million on Thursday alone. The total there now sits at $2.84 million.
- Germany: Saw the strongest studio animated opening of the year.
- Italy: Posted the highest studio animation opening in the country for 2025.
The film had reached 93 percent of the international box office landscape by the end of Wednesday. It launched in major hubs like Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the Philippines.
Audience Scores Soar High
High ticket sales usually mean happy viewers. The audience reception for Zootopia 2 is glowing across all major platforms.
In China, the ticketing platform Maoyan gave the film a stunning 9.7 audience score. The review site Douban rated it at 8.7. These scores actually beat the first Zootopia film. They also scored higher than recent hits like Inside Out 2 and Moana 2.
Naver in Korea reported a 9.33 rating while CGV gave the film a 98 percent approval rating.
Fans seem thrilled with the return of voice actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. The addition of Ke Huy Quan as the new character Gary has also sparked interest. The chemistry between the lead characters remains the heart of the film.
Director Jared Bush seems to have crafted a story that honors the original while expanding the world. This positive word of mouth is essential for the long run.
Weekend Predictions And Future
The industry is now looking at the full weekend numbers. Projections are climbing higher every hour.
The weekend projection for Zootopia 2 currently sits between $135 million and $145 million worldwide. This estimate might even be conservative if the Asian markets continue to overperform.
The film continues to roll out into other major territories today. Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, India, and Spain are next in line. These markets will test if the Chinese surge can sustain a global run.
Industry watchers note that the early momentum may push Zootopia 2 to become the biggest studio movie in China for 2025. Maoyan predicts a full run total of RMB 2.4 billion. That is about $340 million just from one country.
Considering the original film earned $236 million in China, the sequel is on track to smash that record easily.
Disney has proven that a well crafted animated sequel can still capture massive audiences across cultures. Zootopia 2 is not just a movie. It is a global event. The record setting day in China proves that the market remains open to high quality Hollywood animation. When the right story and characters are presented, the audience shows up.
What do you think about this massive opening? Are you planning to watch Judy and Nick in theaters this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. If you are excited, share this news with your friends using the hashtag #Zootopia2 on social media!
