Disney has officially crowned a new king of animation. Zootopia 2 has shattered global box office records by crossing the $1.7 billion mark worldwide.
This massive milestone means the film has passed Pixar’s Inside Out 2 to become the highest grossing animated film ever released by a Hollywood studio. Audiences have flocked to theaters for eight straight weekends to see Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return to the big screen. The sequel proves that the demand for high quality family storytelling is stronger than ever.
Breaking Global Box Office Records
The box office numbers for Zootopia 2 are nothing short of historic.
The film has earned $1.7 billion after just two months in theaters. This performance is a massive win for Disney after a competitive holiday season.
Zootopia 2 now sits at the very top of the Hollywood animation charts.
It pushed past the previous record holder Inside Out 2 which had an incredible run just a few years prior. The movie is now chasing the global total of the Chinese animated hit Ne Zha 2.
Industry experts are shocked by the holding power of this sequel. Most films see a steep drop in ticket sales after the first few weeks.
But Zootopia 2 kept drawing crowds well into January 2026. Families and teenagers alike are returning for repeat viewings. This behavior is rare in the modern era of streaming.
Here is a look at the current standing of the top animated giants:
| Rank | Movie Title | Global Box Office (Approx) | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ne Zha 2 | $1.75 Billion | Beijing Enlight |
| 2 | Zootopia 2 | $1.70 Billion | Disney |
| 3 | Inside Out 2 | $1.69 Billion | Pixar/Disney |
| 4 | The Lion King (2019) | $1.66 Billion | Disney |
Zootopia 2 box office record chart global sales
International Markets Drive Huge Success
The real engine behind this record breaking run is the international market.
Fans outside the United States have embraced the world of Zootopia with unmatched enthusiasm. The performance in China has been particularly stunning.
The movie is on the verge of overtaking Avengers: Endgame as the highest grossing American film in China.
This is a significant achievement considering how difficult the Chinese market has been for Hollywood films recently. The mammalian metropolis connects deeply with Chinese audiences.
Japan is another major success story for the film.
Zootopia 2 currently ranks among the top five releases of the year in Japan. It is on pace to earn $100 million in that country alone.
The sequel’s ability to translate humor and heart across different cultures is the key reason for these numbers.
“The movie connects deeply with audiences everywhere. It highlights our power to create animated stories that resonate worldwide.”
This global appeal has helped bridge the gap where the domestic box office fell slightly short of Inside Out 2.
Beating The Competition At Home
The domestic box office in the United States tells an interesting story of resilience.
Zootopia 2 has passed the $400 million milestone in North America. Analysts expect it to reach $423 million very soon.
These figures secure its spot as the top domestic release among all films from 2025. It managed to beat out heavy competition during the busy winter season.
The most surprising victory came against James Cameron’s franchise.
Zootopia 2 has outperformed Avatar: Fire and Ash in both the US and Japan.
This was a matchup that many experts thought Disney Animation might lose. But the animals of Zootopia held their ground against the Na’vi.
Here is how the film is winning the long game:
- Consistent Weekends: It earned more than Fire and Ash in late run weekends.
- Family Turnout: Parents feel safe taking kids to this PG rated hit.
- Viral Word of Mouth: Social media clips have kept the buzz alive for months.
Avatar: Fire and Ash earned roughly $17 million on its fifth weekend in the US. In comparison the animated sequel maintained a stronger hold on screens.
The gap in Japan was even wider where Fire and Ash took in only $13 million during the same frame.
Why Fans Are Connecting With The Sequel
The financial success is driven by a movie that people actually love.
Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard have crafted a story that expands the world in meaningful ways. They did not just repeat the first movie.
The introduction of reptiles and marine life added a fresh layer to the city dynamics.
Fans have praised the new mystery element involving undercover work. The chemistry between the lead characters remains the heart of the film.
Voice acting has also played a huge role in the positive reviews.
Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman returned with the same energy that made the first film a classic. The addition of Ke Huy Quan as Gary the snake provided a breakout character that went viral online.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are full of fan art and memes about the new characters. This digital engagement drives ticket sales.
Alan Bergman who serves as Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment praised the creative team.
He specifically thanked producers Yvett Merino and the directors for their vision. He noted that the film’s themes of trust and unity are perfect for the current world climate.
The studio took its time to get the story right. The wait of nearly a decade seems to have worked in their favor.
Anticipation built up over the years until it exploded into this $1.7 billion result.
Critics have noted that the animation quality has taken a massive leap forward. The fur technology and lighting effects in Zootopia 2 set a new standard for the industry.
Viewers are visiting premium large format theaters just to see the details. This boosts the average ticket price and helps the overall gross.
The movie is not just a financial hit for Disney. It is a cultural moment that revitalizes their animation studio.
It proves that original franchises still have massive power when handled with care.
As the film continues its run it might even challenge Ne Zha 2 for the absolute top spot globally. But regardless of the final number Zootopia 2 is already a legend.
Tell us what you think!
Did you enjoy the return to Zootopia more than the first one? Let us know your favorite scene in the comments below. If you are posting on social media use the hashtag #Zootopia2Record to share your thoughts with other fans!
