Film becomes fifth Disney Animation title to cross $1bn globally

Los Angeles: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 has officially become the highest-grossing animated film in the studio’s history, surpassing 2019’s Frozen 2, in a major box office milestone announced on Wednesday.

The animated sequel has amassed approximately $1.46 billion in global ticket sales, making it the fifth Walt Disney Animation Studios film to cross the coveted $1 billion mark worldwide. The achievement comes at a time when the global box office continues to lag behind pre-pandemic levels.

Strong Holiday Opening Fuels Momentum

Zootopia 2 launched Hollywood’s crucial holiday movie season with a powerful debut, earning an estimated $556 million globally in its opening weekend, boosted by strong turnout over the US Thanksgiving period.

The film reunites fan-favourite characters — rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and her fox partner Nick Wilde — as they embark on a new adventure through the vibrant animal metropolis, a storyline that has resonated strongly with family audiences.

China Drives Record-Breaking Success

A major driver behind the film’s record-breaking performance has been its extraordinary reception in China, where Zootopia 2 has grossed more than $560 million to date.

During its opening weekend, the sequel dominated the Chinese box office, accounting for an estimated 95% of all movie ticket sales, underscoring the franchise’s immense popularity in the region.

Welcome Boost for Industry

With worldwide box office revenues still falling short of 2019’s pre-pandemic highs, Zootopia 2’s success has provided a significant boost for Disney and cinema operators, who rely heavily on the year-end holiday season — the second-busiest period for moviegoing.

Industry analysts view the film’s performance as a positive signal for theatrical releases, particularly family-oriented blockbusters, amid ongoing recovery challenges for global cinemas.