“Zootopia 2” delivered a spectacular start at the worldwide box office, roaring past expectations and setting multiple industry records during its opening weekend. Nearly a decade after the original film charmed audiences around the world, Disney’s animated sequel proved that the franchise’s appeal is stronger than ever, turning the Thanksgiving holiday corridor into a powerful launching pad.
The film earned an impressive $96 million in North America from Friday to Sunday, solidifying its position as one of the strongest domestic openings of 2025. When factoring in the extended holiday window, its five-day Thanksgiving haul reached $156 million, reflecting massive turnout from families and general audiences alike. This momentum continued on the international front, where the film delivered a breathtaking performance that pushed its global opening total to approximately $556 million by Sunday. This figure placed the movie in rare company — marking the biggest international opening for an animated film in history, the fourth-largest worldwide debut of any film ever, and the highest international opener released in 2025.
Much like the first film, the sequel revisits the bustling, anthropomorphic metropolis of Zootopia and reunites fans with beloved characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The world-building, humor, and themes of cooperation and social complexity once again resonated with viewers, especially those who grew up with the first movie and families seeking high-quality holiday entertainment. Media analysts noted that the film succeeded because it delivered exactly what audiences hoped for: surprise, nostalgia, highly polished animation, and a story broad enough to transcend regional tastes. Disney’s marketing machine, long anticipation from loyal fans, and well-timed holiday placement amplified its reach even further.
Yet, one region stood out above all others. China emerged as the film’s most dominant market, contributing almost half of the global box office. With a massive $272 million in ticket sales, the country delivered the second-largest non-local opening in its history, behind only “Avengers: Endgame.” This milestone is especially noteworthy because Hollywood films in recent years have often struggled to gain traction in China, where local productions have dominated and foreign releases have faced stricter content approvals and unpredictable audience response. The first “Zootopia,” known in China as “Crazy Animal City,” had grown into a cultural hit, and the sequel benefited from its lasting popularity — as well as the Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland, which helped boost brand visibility and curiosity among younger moviegoers.
Industry experts view this success as potentially meaningful. It may signal a temporary thaw in the box office freeze between Hollywood and China, or it could prove to be an exception driven by unique circumstances surrounding this franchise. Either way, the numbers show that when a foreign film aligns with local tastes and built-in cultural affection, it can still dominate the Chinese market on a massive scale.
Across the broader movie industry, “Zootopia 2” also represents a much-needed bright spot. The 2025 box office has been uneven and often disappointing, with studios and theaters craving large, reliable hits. The success of this sequel, coupled with that of other PG-rated offerings, suggests that family films may continue to play a vital role in stabilizing theatrical attendance. With four weeks left in the year and major releases such as “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” still on the horizon, analysts say that a strong late-year surge is possible. As one leading box office analyst put it, the film’s opening is “a major momentum builder at exactly the right moment for the global marketplace.”
Wicked: For Good Holds Steady as Thanksgiving Weekend Surges
While “Zootopia 2” dominated the headlines, “Wicked: For Good” maintained an exceptionally strong second weekend, proving that two major PG-rated sequels could thrive simultaneously. Universal Pictures’ continuation of the Broadway-inspired saga added $62.8 million domestically over the weekend, bringing its North American total to $270.4 million. Internationally, the film has amassed $393 million, demonstrating enduring appeal across multiple territories.
Despite facing intense competition from Disney’s blockbuster animation, “Wicked: For Good” showed minimal audience erosion. Its performance underscores that musicals — especially those rooted in beloved stage properties — still have the power to draw crowds when executed with scale, emotional resonance, and strong fan engagement. Universal’s strategy of splitting the story into two films appears to be paying off, offering viewers a cinematic experience expansive enough to warrant multiple chapters.
The strong partnership between these two films helped the Thanksgiving box office reach approximately $290 million over the five-day holiday, of which $188 million came between Friday and Sunday alone. This made Thanksgiving weekend a notable exception in an otherwise sluggish theatrical year, offering studios reassurance that premium content can still mobilize audiences. The turnout also served as a reminder of the holidays’ box office importance — when families, tourists, and casual viewers often return to theaters in larger numbers.
Critically acclaimed films also benefited from the holiday lift. The Shakespearean drama “Hamnet,” which premiered to praise on the festival circuit and is expected to be a major awards season contender, delivered a notable limited release. Playing in just 119 theaters, it earned $1.35 million during its first five days and $880,000 over the weekend, averaging more than $11,000 per theater. This strong performance signals that adult dramas may also find space amid blockbuster competition when marketed thoughtfully.
Overall, the success of these major titles hints at renewed consumer interest, driven by a combination of franchise familiarity, seasonal timing, and public desire for theatrical spectacle. As streaming habits evolve and the industry continues reshaping its approach to distribution windows, these results reaffirm the enduring value of the big-screen experience — especially for visually rich genres like animation, fantasy, and musical epics.
Domestic Box Office Top 10 Reflect a Dynamic Holiday Frame
With final domestic figures expected on Monday, the weekend’s estimated rankings highlight a healthy and varied landscape of theatrical viewing. The top spot belonged, unsurprisingly, to “Zootopia 2,” which brought in $96.8 million — a commanding lead that set the tone for the entire weekend. Close behind in sustained performance was “Wicked: For Good” with $62.8 million, reinforcing its staying power and appeal.
Third place went to “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” which added $7 million, showing modest ongoing interest in the popular heist-magic franchise. In fourth, “Predator: Badlands” earned $4.8 million, maintaining its hold as an action draw for genre fans. Fifth place belonged to “The Running Man” with $3.7 million, followed by “Eternity” at $3.2 million, both continuing to show steady mid-tier performance.
Further down the list, “Rental Family” collected $2.1 million, while limited-release standout “Hamnet” secured the eighth position thanks to its strong specialty box office results. Rounding out the top ten were “Sisu: Road to Revenge” with $810,000 and “Nuremberg” with $749,325, reflecting a weekend where both mainstream and niche titles were able to capture audience attention.
The diversity of genres — from family animation and fantasy musicals to action, thriller, and awards-driven drama — suggests that audience appetite is broad and responsive when compelling options are available. The weekend as a whole demonstrated that the theatrical marketplace can still accommodate multiple simultaneous successes when release strategies are thoughtfully planned and films deliver on expectations.
