Disney's Zootopia 2 is set to open with around $140 million over the five-day Thanksgiving period, following strong $10.2 million previews on Tuesday. The animated sequel marks the second-best preview start for Walt Disney Animation Studios, behind only Moana 2. Globally, the film is off to a robust start exceeding $270 million.
Preview Performance
Zootopia 2 earned $10.2 million from Tuesday previews starting at 2 p.m., securing the second-highest preview for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film, trailing Moana 2's $13.8 million but surpassing Frozen II's $8.5 million. This also ranks as the second-highest Tuesday preview for a Disney Thanksgiving opener. The film's Wednesday estimate stands at $39 million, including previews, positioning it for the second-best Wednesday opening during Thanksgiving after Moana 2's $57.8 million last year.
Domestic Projections
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 features returning voices Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin as fox con artist Nick Wilde and rabbit officer Judy Hopps, who team up to investigate a mysterious reptilian resident. The five-day domestic haul from Wednesday to Sunday at 4,000 theaters is projected at $140 million, with Friday-to-Sunday expected between $88 million and $90 million or more. This would place it second to Moana 2's $225 million five-day record. Critics have praised the sequel, with a 93% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, slightly below the original's 98%.
International Success
Internationally, Zootopia 2 launched strongly, achieving over $270 million globally. In China, it posted $33.7 million on opening day, the 10th highest for a U.S. release and the best debut ever for a U.S. animated film. Korea saw $1.7 million, the fifth-highest animated opening there. The film's popularity is boosted by the Zootopia Land at Shanghai Disneyland since 2023.
Context and Comparisons
The original 2016 Zootopia opened to $75 million domestically and grossed $1.02 billion worldwide. This sequel arrives amid a strong holiday box office, alongside Universal's Wicked: For Good, which added $15.75 million on Tuesday for a five-day projection of $90 million and a running total of $177.5 million domestic. Exhibitors benefit from family-friendly content after a quieter fall season.