Disney’s Zootopia 2 has taken the global box office by storm, breaking a six-year record in China previously held by Avengers: Endgame. The animated sequel delivered an extraordinary single-day performance, earning an estimated $104 million, marking the strongest debut for a Hollywood film in the Chinese market since 2021.
The return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde has clearly resonated with audiences, pushing the film to secure the biggest opening day for an international title this year in China. In local currency, the film surpassed the opening-day earnings of Avengers: Endgame, recording a remarkable 160 percent jump from Friday to Saturday, a feat rarely witnessed in the region’s theatrical market.
Outside China, the film is also demonstrating impressive momentum. Across Europe, Zootopia 2 claimed the No. 1 spot in nearly every opening market except the UK, where Wicked: For Good continues its strong hold. The film achieved the highest animation opening day of 2025 and now stands as the third-largest opening day in Walt Disney Animation Studios history, trailing only Frozen 2 and Moana.
Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard revealed that the sequel drew subtle inspiration from iconic horror films including The Shining and The Silence of the Lambs, adding new atmospheric layers to the franchise. Bush shared how these influences shaped the film’s mysterious lynx antagonists and the eerie labyrinthine setting featured in the story. Michael Giacchino’s score, widely praised by critics, further strengthens the film’s emotional and cinematic impact.
Premiering at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles earlier this month, Zootopia 2 features returning cast members Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, Bonnie Hunt, Nate Torrence, Don Lake, and Jenny Slate. The sequel follows Hopps and Wilde as they embark on an undercover mission to track down Gary De’Snake, a puzzling new figure in Zootopia with secrets of his own. With the film expected to hit $525 million worldwide by Sunday, Zootopia 2 is rapidly becoming one of Disney’s strongest releases in recent years.
