The box office rollercoaster of 2025 may finally hit a jaw-dropping high thanks to Disney.
The long-awaited Zootopia 2 is set to debut over Thanksgiving weekend, and early projections suggest the animated sequel could deliver another $1 billion global smash for the studio.
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the sequel is expected to pull in between $102–$122 million next weekend, according to Box Office Theory.
Since the film opens mid-week, estimates climb even higher — as much as $185 million for the five-day stretch from Wednesday to Sunday.
Competition at the Thanksgiving Box Office
The film will face competition from Wicked: For Good, which is also set for a monster opening.
But history shows two blockbusters can thrive side by side. Think Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023, or Wicked and Gladiator II last year. Fans are already calling this Thanksgiving lineup “the Jeff Bezos mansion of movie weekends” — lavish, stacked, and unforgettable.
Returning Stars and New Faces
The sequel reunites audiences with cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman).
This time, the duo investigates a shocking mystery when newcomer Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) arrives in Zootopia, turning the metropolis upside down.
Global Box Office Potential
The first Zootopia opened in March 2016, debuting to $75 million domestically and eventually grossing $1.02 billion worldwide.
International markets were key, with nearly 67% of revenue overseas. Pre-sales in China for Zootopia 2 are already strong, echoing the original’s staggering $236 million haul there.
Disney’s Billion-Dollar Streak
Disney is the only Hollywood studio with a $1 billion hit in 2025, thanks to Lilo & Stitch.
Last year, Moana 2 set a Thanksgiving record with $225.4 million over five days, while Frozen 2 earned $1.45 billion globally. Long gaps between sequels can hurt franchises, but Disney animation continues to defy the odds.
Fans React to the Viral Buzz
Social media is already ablaze with emotional commentary.
One fan wrote: “Zootopia 2 leaves me speechless — this could be bigger than a Kardashian family headline.” Another added: “Disney is about to drop the 007 theme of animated sequels. Timeless and jaw-dropping.”
Why It Hits Harder
With strong pre-sales, family-friendly appeal, and little direct competition through Christmas, Zootopia 2 has all the ingredients for a billion-dollar run.
It’s not just another sequel — it’s a cultural event poised to redefine Disney’s holiday dominance.
If projections hold, Zootopia 2 could leave fans and the box office speechless — proving Disney still knows how to capture lightning in a bottle.
