The Zootopia 2 box office has delivered a major jolt to a movie industry desperate for good news. Disney’s long-awaited sequel blasted out of the gate with $39.5 million in its first full day of release, instantly establishing itself as the dominant film of the Thanksgiving corridor.
For theaters that have endured a fall packed with disappointments, this is the best break they’ve had in months — and it arrives at a crucial moment for Disney animation, which has struggled to recapture its pre-2020 momentum.
A Blowout Start Heading Into a Crowded Holiday Weekend
Variety confirmed that Zootopia 2 is projected to bring in $125 million to $150 million over the extended 5-day Thanksgiving stretch — numbers strong enough to secure the weekend crown without much resistance. While it won’t touch the astonishing lockdown-era record set by Moana 2 ($225 million over five days), this opening firmly places Zootopia 2 among the top Thanksgiving box office debuts of all time.
Nick Wilde pulls the tail off a female lizard in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
For comparison:
- Frozen II posted $125 million over five days.
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hit $109 million in the same frame.
- The Moana 2 benchmark remains untouched at $225 million.
Even so, Disney hasn’t seen an opening this promising in months.
2025 Has Been a Disaster for Disney
Projects meant to anchor Disney’s slate in 2025 instead became cautionary tales.
Dopey in the Live Action Snow White movie – YouTube, Disney
Snow White arrived under intense scrutiny and failed to ignite interest with general audiences. Marvel’s long-awaited Fantastic Four reboot landed with a thud, offering none of the revitalization the brand hoped for.
Captain America: Brave New World struggled to energize fans or break through the cultural noise, continuing the MCU’s ongoing slump. Thunderbolts, promoted as Marvel’s next big ensemble play, similarly fizzled instead of restoring momentum.
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
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Outside of superheroes, Disney’s broader lineup didn’t fare much better. Tron: Ares barely registered with moviegoers despite the legacy name recognition, and the expensive Pixar project Elio became yet another animated disappointment during a period when the studio desperately needed a win.
Stacked together, these releases painted a troubling picture: a studio once defined by consistent hits was suddenly struggling to connect with audiences across nearly every division.
Lilo and Stitch with Nani in the Live Action Lilo & Stitch movie – YouTube, IGN
Despite the overwhelming number of failures, Disney did manage to land one genuine success in 2025 — but it wasn’t from Marvel, Pixar, or Walt Disney Animation Studios. Instead, the studio’s lone bright spot came from its live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. That movie stood out as the rare release that connected with audiences, generated strong word of mouth, and delivered the kind of box office return Disney wished the rest of its slate could match.
One hit out of an entire year’s worth of major releases illustrated just how far the company had drifted from its once-dependable dominance — and why the explosive box office launch of Zootopia 2 feels so pivotal.
A Global Boost Disney Desperately Needed
Internationally, Zootopia 2 is proving even more important. The film earned $41.6 million overseas on Wednesday alone, pushing its global total to $81.1 million before the U.S. weekend even begins. Analysts expect $135 million to $145 million from foreign markets by the end of its first five days.
Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
China, notoriously selective with American films, embraced the sequel in a way few recent Hollywood titles have managed.
Variety reports the movie opened to $33.7 million, making it the 10th-highest opening day ever for a U.S. release in the country. Notably, this performance coincides with the recent launch of a Zootopia Land at Shanghai Disneyland — a synergy Disney rarely achieves so cleanly these days.
A Lifeline for Theaters After a Painful Fall
Exhibitors have been open about how challenging the season has been, naming underperformers such as The Smashing Machine and Tron: Ares as part of a punishing lineup that left multiplexes starved for foot traffic. Zootopia 2, combined with the sustained momentum of Wicked: For Good, offers a much-needed rebound.
The poster for Wicked – Universal
Universal’s Broadway sequel added $17.2 million Wednesday and now sits at $194.6 million domestically, with projections to climb to nearly $270 million by the end of the holiday frame.
In other words: audiences are finally returning in force.
The Big Picture
Disney has been waiting for a win — and the Zootopia 2 box office might finally give them one. With a massive domestic launch, a powerful international surge, and generally positive reviews, the film is positioned not just as a Thanksgiving hit but as a crucial stabilizing force for the studio’s animated division.
Mugshot of a snake in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
If current projections hold, Zootopia 2 could mark Disney’s most important release of the year.
Are you surprised by the Zootopia 2 box office? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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