As all of Hollywood frets over the future of theatrical amid the proposed Netflix-Warner Bros. merger, the stunning performance of Disney’s critical and audience darling Zootopia 2 underscores that moviegoers will turn out for the right reason.
The Walt Disney Animation Studios sequel zoomed past the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office Friday after just 17 days in release. So far this year, it’s only the second title to clear that milestone behind fellow Disney blockbuster Lilo & Stitch. The more stunning feat: It did so in the shortest amount of time among all animated Hollywood releases and all PG-rated films.
The sequel, continuing the adventures of an optimistic rabbit and a sly fox, took in another $26.3 million for a domestic total of $259.6 million and $877.8 million and roughly $1.08 billion globally.
Zootopia returned to first place in its third weekend after briefly ceding the crown to Blumhouse and Universal’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, which fell to second place with a respectable $8.6 million in its sophomore outing with $20 million as it crosses the $95 million mark domestically and clears $174 million overseas.
Thanksgiving tentpole Wicked: For Good, now in its fourth weekend, is celebrating becoming only one of five 2025 releases to cross $300 million domestically behind A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, Superman and Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Nearby on the Disney lot, not everyone is basking in Zootopia 2. Acclaimed director James L. Brooks‘ political comedy-drama Ella McCay — which is his first film in years — becomes the latest high-profile adult title to badly struggle as awards season heats up.
Ella McCay rounded out the top 10 with an estimated $1.9 million, a career worst for Brooks, as well as one of the worst starts ever for a major studio title going out in 2,500 or more theaters. Critics have skewered the film despite its high-profile ensemble cast, which includes Emma Mackey in the titular role, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden and Albert Brooks.
To be sure, Zootopia 2 is great news for Disney’s entire film empire and also marks the first back-to-back billion-dollar releases for Walt Disney Animation Studios, following last year’s Moana 2. The animation studio now counts five billion-dollar titles since 2013 between the Frozen, Moana and Zootopia series.
“Everyone at Disney Animation put their heart, soul and passion into this film to tell a story full of joy, imagination and incredible thoughtfulness,” said Jared Bush, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios. “This milestone means the world to us, because more than anything, it means audiences are coming to theaters for a shared experience of watching this movie on the big screen, everyone together, from all walks of life around the world — and that is a Zootopia dream come true.”
Zootopia 2 opened to a record-smashing $559.5 million over the five-day Thanksgiving corridor to boast the highest global animated opening of all time, the highest global debut of 2025 and the top global opening for any animated film in Disney history.
The Thanksgiving tentpole has also reignited interest in the franchise, driving record-breaking home-entertainment viewership of 2016’s Zootopia after topping out at $1.03 billion at the box office.
Zootopia 2 is destined to fly far higher, thanks to the upcoming Christmas holidays, when kids are looking for things to do. The market can sustain multiple event pics during the final two weeks of the year. The biggest title on the marquee this time out is Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Dec. 13, 12 p.m.: Updated with revised numbers for Zootopia 2 and other films.
Dec. 14, 12 p.m.: Updated with revised numbers for Zootopia 2 and other films.
This story was originally published Dec. 12 at 8:34 a.m.
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