Alright, cinephiles and animation buffs, listen up! “Zootopia 2” is not just doing well; it’s straight up crushing it, cementing its place as the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025. This Disney sequel has been on an absolute tear since its Thanksgiving debut, leaving other big hitters in its dust. The film recently leapfrogged “A Minecraft Movie” in North America, pulling in a cool $424.2 million, just a hair over its competitor’s $424.08 million. Talk about a photo finish!
This isn’t just a domestic win; “Zootopia 2” has been a global phenomenon, setting records left and right. It’s the biggest earner internationally with a whopping $1.425 billion and has racked up an eye-watering $1.85 billion worldwide. No cap, these numbers are legit. For context, the original “Zootopia,” released back in 2016, was a critical darling and a box office success itself, praised for its clever storytelling, nuanced themes of prejudice and acceptance, and its vibrant, detailed world. It resonated deeply with audiences, laying solid groundwork for its much-anticipated sequel. That original film, directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, and co-directed by Jared Bush, managed to bag an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which, let’s be real, set the bar pretty high.
Disney’s been on a roll, and last year was a testament to their rebound, marking their biggest year since the pre-pandemic era. “Zootopia 2,” alongside other billion-dollar behemoths like “Lilo & Stitch” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” really helped propel ticket sales past $6 billion globally. It’s clear that audiences are ready to head back to theaters, especially when Disney delivers such high-quality, engaging content.
“Zootopia 2” dropped just ahead of Thanksgiving, opening to a massive $158 million in North America and an insane $559 million worldwide over the five-day holiday weekend. Those figures aren’t just good; they’re historic. We’re talking the second-largest Thanksgiving launch ever, the best start for an animated film period, and the fourth-biggest worldwide debut in box office history. Yeah, you heard that right – right up there with titans like “Avengers: Endgame,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” That’s some serious company, folks, and it shows just how much anticipation there was for this sequel.
The film’s success isn’t just about opening weekend hype. Buoyed by stellar reviews and word-of-mouth that was absolutely on point, this family flick quickly became the fastest PG release ever to hit $1 billion worldwide, crossing that massive milestone in just 17 days. It even surpassed “Inside Out 2” to claim the title of Hollywood’s highest-grossing animated film of all time. And if that wasn’t enough, it edged out “Avengers: Endgame” to become the biggest Motion Picture Association (MPA) title ever in China – a market that can make or break a blockbuster. On the all-time charts, “Zootopia 2” is currently sitting pretty as the eighth-biggest film in box office history. That’s a legacy move right there.
Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard returned to helm “Zootopia 2,” continuing the adventures of Officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and her sly partner Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they reunite to investigate a mysterious new reptilian resident, voiced by the one and only Ke Huy Quan. The film builds on the themes of its predecessor, exploring new facets of the animal metropolis and delivering both laughs and thought-provoking moments. The addition of Ke Huy Quan, whose career resurgence has been nothing short of inspiring, was a stroke of genius, bringing fresh energy to an already beloved cast.
Given the never-ending parade of box office accolades and the sheer adoration from fans worldwide, it’s not a matter of if, but when, Disney announces the inevitable “Zootopia 3.” When a franchise is this dope, you just know they’re not going to leave us hanging. Get ready for more adventures in Zootopia, because these characters and their world clearly have a firm grip on the hearts (and wallets) of moviegoers everywhere.
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