Disney’s Zootopia 2 hits theaters this Thanksgiving weekend, and early signs suggest it may be headed for a massive global box office run — potentially surpassing the $1.05 billion total earned by last year’s Moana 2. While domestic projections remain more modest, analysts say the sequel has all the ingredients needed to become one of the biggest animated releases of the decade.
Unlike Moana 2, which set a Thanksgiving record with a $225 million five-day opening in the U.S. and Canada, Zootopia 2 is expected to launch with a $135+ million domestic debut. Even so, industry expectations are rising thanks to rave reviews, strong franchise loyalty, and a surge of ticket sales overseas — particularly in China.
Critical Praise and Audience Demand Drive Momentum
The sequel arrives nine years after the original 2016 hit, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide and became a cultural staple. Reviews for the follow-up are strong, with a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score from 69 critics — one of the highest for a Walt Disney Animation release since Encanto.
Critics say Zootopia 2 expands the universe in exciting ways, including the introduction of reptile characters and deeper world-building. Performances by returning stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are earning standout praise, with notable chemistry driving the emotional core of the story.
Pre-release surveys from Greenlight Analytics show 56% audience intent, significantly higher than recent Disney animated films and suggesting the potential for long box office legs through the holiday season.
China Could Be the Game-Changer
The unexpected force behind the film’s billion-dollar potential may be China. While most Hollywood releases have struggled to regain traction in the post-pandemic market, Zootopia remains enormously popular there.
Disney recently opened a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland, which has helped build major momentum for the film. Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan shows over 2 million users indicating interest — more than any American film in the site’s history.
Maoyan predicts:
$180M five-day opening in China
$360M total box office in China alone
For comparison, only five Hollywood films have ever earned more than $300 million in China — including Avengers: Endgame and Furious 7.
If Zootopia 2 performs similarly to Moana 2 in other territories, China could easily push the film beyond the billion-dollar mark.
Competition on the Horizon
Whether the film breaks records will depend on how it holds through December, competing against major releases like:
Wicked: For Good
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Avatar: Fire and Ash
If Zootopia 2 keeps momentum beyond Thanksgiving weekend, analysts say it could become Disney’s strongest global animated performer since Inside Out 2, which earned $1.69 billion worldwide.
