Disney’s Zootopia 2 has crossed a staggering milestone in China, powering past $500 million over the weekend and cementing one of the strongest theatrical runs for a Hollywood film in the market in recent years. The animated sequel has now become the first imported animated movie in China’s history to breach the half-billion-dollar mark — a feat few thought possible in today’s tightly competitive theatrical landscape.
A Record Weekend in a Traditionally Quiet Window
According to trade estimates, Zootopia 2 pulled in around $55 million over the weekend, lifting its China total to $500.6 million (RMB 3.55 billion). What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the timing. Late November and early December are usually among the slowest periods on China’s release calendar, with studios often holding major titles for the year-end holiday corridor.
Instead of slowing down, Zootopia 2 accelerated — defying seasonal trends and industry expectations.
Beating Its Own Legacy — And Hollywood History
The sequel’s performance dramatically outpaces the original Zootopia, which relied on steady word of mouth to reach $236 million in China back in 2016, then a record for an imported animated release.
With this new milestone, Zootopia 2 now stands as the second highest-grossing Hollywood film of all time in China, trailing only Avengers: Endgame. It has comfortably overtaken former heavyweights such as The Fate of the Furious, Furious 7, and Avengers: Infinity War.
China Drives a Historic Global Run
China’s box office dominance has played a decisive role in the film’s global success. Zootopia 2 crossed $1 billion worldwide in just 17 days, becoming the fastest PG-rated film ever to reach the mark.
As of Sunday, the film had earned $259.6 million in North America and approximately $1.08 billion globally, with China contributing nearly half of the total — an increasingly rare scenario for Hollywood releases.
Weekend Box Office Landscape in China
The sequel once again ruled the charts, leaving local competition far behind. Period war drama Gezhi Town held second place, while newer releases and holdovers filled out the top five with significantly smaller numbers — underscoring Zootopia 2’s overwhelming market dominance.
What This Means for Disney
For Disney, the success sends a clear signal: the studio can still attract broad, cross-generational audiences in China, even as the market grows more selective. That confidence will soon be tested again with James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, set for a nationwide China release later this month.
Final Words
Zootopia 2’s China run isn’t just a box office win — it’s a statement. In a market where Hollywood films increasingly struggle for attention, Disney’s animated sequel has broken records, rewritten expectations, and reminded the industry that the right film can still unite audiences at an extraordinary scale.
