Disney's Zootopia 2 kicked off its theatrical run with a robust $19.7 million on Thanksgiving Day, positioning it for one of the biggest opening weekends ever. The animated sequel is projected to earn over $520 million globally, potentially setting a new record for animated films. This performance comes amid glowing reviews and places it among top earners like Avengers and Star Wars entries.
Opening Performance
Zootopia 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 animated hit, grossed $19.7 million domestically on its Thanksgiving Day release, November 28, 2025. This figure marks it as a contender for the second-best Thanksgiving launch in box office history. Globally, projections estimate over $520 million for the opening weekend, surpassing the current animated record held by Ne Zha 2 at $431 million.
The film, known as Zootropolis 2 in the UK, is now playing in cinemas worldwide. Its success builds on the original's $1 billion haul, with early reviews praising the anthropomorphic buddy cop comedy's return.
Record Potential
If projections hold, Zootopia 2 could enter the top five biggest opening weekends of all time, rivaling blockbusters from the Avengers and Star Wars franchises. It would also claim the highest global opening for an animated feature, outpacing Ne Zha 2, which remains the highest-grossing animated film ever at $2.216 billion.
Meanwhile, the box office landscape shows strength, as Wicked: For Good has surpassed $200 million domestically. Disney's strategy with Zootopia 2 highlights continued demand for family-friendly animations during holiday periods.
Context and Implications
Released nearly a decade after the original, Zootopia 2 continues the adventures in a world of anthropomorphic animals. Its strong start underscores Disney's dominance in animation, potentially influencing future sequels and holiday releases. No specific quotes from studio executives were available, but the numbers speak to broad audience appeal.