After a shaky autumn for theater owners, Thanksgiving weekend finally brought the kind of blockbuster energy Hollywood has been waiting for — thanks to Disney’s Zootopia 2 and Universal’s Wicked: For Good, two films that have now turned the holiday frame into a full-fledged box-office celebration.
Zootopia 2 Feasts on Records All Weekend
Disney Animation’s highly anticipated Zootopia 2 is proving unstoppable across the board. The sequel dominated Black Friday with a massive $38.5 million, marking the second-highest Black Friday gross in history, just behind last year’s Moana 2.
Its momentum began long before the weekend rush:
- $39.5 million opening on Wednesday
- $19.7 million on Thanksgiving Day — second-best of all time after Moana 2
- Projected five-day haul: $158 million+, again the second-best ever for the holiday frame
After months of limited family-friendly content in theaters, Zootopia 2 has single-handedly revived the multiplex energy families have been craving.
A Global Smash Out of the Gate
In just three days, the film has raced to a staggering $233 million worldwide, including:
- $97.7 million in the U.S./Canada
- $135.3 million internationally
- And an astonishing $94 million two-day start in China
That China launch alone makes it:
- The biggest animated opening ever in the country
- The best Hollywood start in China since May 2021
Critics and audiences are loving the film too, scoring:
- A CinemaScore
- 95% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes
The sequel is also leading the year’s biggest animated opening days in France, Germany, Italy, and performing strongly in South Korea — all without a local holiday advantage.
A Buddy-Cop Triumph
THR’s Frank Scheck even joked that “there’s no need to resurrect Rush Hour” because Zootopia 2 delivers the best buddy-cop energy in years — complete with dazzling visuals and heartfelt storytelling.
The film brings back beloved duo Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), now navigating fresh challenges on the police force under Chief Bogo (Idris Elba). Their latest mission? Tracking down a mysterious new reptilian character voiced by Ke Huy Quan.
Wicked: For Good Holds Strong, Crosses $200M Domestically
Meanwhile, Universal’s Wicked: For Good is soaring to its own set of milestones. The second chapter of Jon M. Chu’s ambitious musical saga crossed the $200 million mark in North America by Thanksgiving Day.
The film added:
- $12.6 million on Thursday
- $26.05 million on Friday
…putting it on track for a five-day total of $93.5 million, placing it firmly among the biggest Thanksgiving performers of all time.
Breaking Records Worldwide
Since its opening on November 21, Wicked: For Good has shattered several milestones:
- Best global opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation
- Surpassing the first Wicked as the top debut for the property
- One of the strongest openings ever for any musical film
Led by the powerhouse pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the Witches of Oz continue to cast a spell internationally.
By Sunday, the sequel is projected to hit $270.94 million domestic, slightly ahead of the first Wicked.
Final Words
For theaters hungry for a hit-filled year-end, Zootopia 2 and Wicked: For Good have arrived like a lifeline — delivering the kind of robust turnout that revives confidence for families, general audiences, and studios alike.
With estimates still shifting as the weekend unfolds, one thing is certain:
Hollywood is heading into December with momentum — and audiences are happily back at the movies.
