Zootopia 2 Charges To Unprecedented Heights With China Box Office Success

Zootopia 2 Breaks Records in China

Disney's animated powerhouse, Zootopia 2, has thundered past the $500 million mark in China, making it one of Hollywood's shining stars in the global box office arena. This milestone is a testament to the film's captivating appeal, which has outdone its predecessor, the original Zootopia, that wrapped up its Chinese theatrical journey at a record-breaking $236 million back in 2016. The sequel's staggering success, powered by an estimated $55 million haul over the recent weekend, has set an unprecedented benchmark, marking it as the first imported animation to hit such heights in China.

A New Era for Hollywood Animated Features

Zootopia 2's triumph is particularly impressive given the quiet period of late November and early December, a time when the Chinese box office is typically subdued. The film has now established itself as the second-highest-grossing Hollywood film ever in China, trailing just behind Avengers: Endgame's formidable $632 million. It's left other cinematic giants in the dust, surpassing titles like The Fate of the Furious and Avengers: Infinity War.

“Zootopia 2's success proves that there's still a massive appetite for engrossing, cross-generational storytelling in China,” Hollywood analyst Mark Jenkins remarked.

Global Impact and Local Rivals

This Chinese box office triumph has been pivotal to Zootopia 2's global success, pushing its worldwide earnings past the $1 billion mark in a mere 17 days – a record for a PG-rated film. As of the latest tally, the film has banked $259.6 million in North America and boasts a staggering global total of approximately $1.08 billion, with China accounting for nearly half of this sum.

Over the weekend, Zootopia 2 dominated the Chinese box office landscape, leaving local competitors in its wake. The war drama Gezhi Town clung to second place with $10.2 million, while Emperor Motion Pictures' Under Current emerged third with $1.2 million. Meanwhile, Lionsgate's Now You See Me: Now You Don't neared the end of its successful run, capturing fourth place.

Disney's Winning Formula

For Disney, Zootopia 2's success story is a resounding victory, showcasing the studio's ability to capture broad audience appeal in China's increasingly selective theatrical market. The studio is gearing up for another potential blockbuster with the upcoming release of James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash, set to hit Chinese theaters on December 19. With Zootopia 2 setting the stage, Disney's future ventures in China seem promising, promising more cinematic magic to come.