On New Year’s Day in China, a surprising Disney box office Civil War unfolded as Zootopia 2 overtook Avatar: Fire and Ash.
After 37 days in theaters, Zootopia 2 surged back to #1 in China, overtaking Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has been in release for just two weeks.
Nick Wilde and Jusy Hopps in police uniforms in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
READ: 2025 Box Office Failed to Meet Even Hollywood’s Lowered Expectations
According to China’s daily box office chart, Zootopia 2 earned $14.67 million on January 1st, while Avatar: Fire and Ash followed with $11.51 million. The margin wasn’t razor-thin either. On one of the most competitive moviegoing days of the year, audiences chose a month-old animated sequel over a fresh installment from one of Hollywood’s most bankable franchises.
A Late-Run Rally That Defies Expectations
Under normal circumstances, a film nearly six weeks into its run would be expected to give way to a newer, heavily marketed blockbuster—especially on a holiday. Yet Zootopia 2 did the opposite. The film now stands at $589.8 million in cumulative box office receipts in China, compared to $122.2 million for Avatar: Fire and Ash.
A screenshot from the trailer to Avatar: Fire and Ash – YouTube, Avatar
That kind of late-run resurgence suggests more than simple holdover strength. It points to sustained audience interest, repeat viewings, and strong word of mouth—factors that typically define movies with real “legs” rather than front-loaded hype.
Why New Year’s Day in China Matters
New Year’s Day is a prime date on China’s theatrical calendar. Studios often rely on the holiday to boost momentum, especially for high-profile releases still early in their run. Historically, the Avatar brand has benefited enormously from Chinese audiences, who helped propel earlier entries to record-breaking totals.
A screenshot from the trailer to Avatar: Fire and Ash – YouTube, Avatar
READ: Disney Temporarily Alters Indiana Jones Stunt Show After On-Stage Incident Injures Cast Member
That context is what makes this result notable. Fire and Ash wasn’t unseated by a new local release or a sudden wave of competition. It was overtaken by a film that had already been playing for more than a month.
The Contrast With Media Framing Around Avatar
Much of the Western trade coverage surrounding Avatar: Fire and Ash continues to emphasize “solid international performance” and early global totals. That framing leans heavily on opening-week momentum and the long-standing assumption that Avatar dominance—particularly in China—is inevitable.
The New Year’s Day numbers complicate that narrative.
A screenshot from the trailer to Avatar: Fire and Ash – YouTube, Avatar
China has traditionally been one of Avatar’s strongest overseas markets, a place where James Cameron’s films didn’t just open big but held the top spot for extended periods. When a 37-day-old animated sequel is able to out-earn a two-week-old Avatar film on a major holiday, it suggests something has shifted. Not a collapse, but a recalibration.
There appears to be less urgency and less automatic repeat viewing than previous Avatar entries enjoyed. And while Fire and Ash is still performing respectably, the assumption of uncontested dominance no longer holds.
Higher Ticket Prices, Higher Stakes
There’s another layer often missing from headline-driven coverage: ticket prices. Movie tickets in China are higher now than they were during the release of Avatar: The Way of Water. That means comparable dollar grosses today translate into fewer admissions than they once did.
A screenshot from Avatar: The Way of Water – YouTube, Avatar
In that light, being overtaken on a holiday carries more weight. It isn’t just about raw revenue—it’s about audience turnout and preference at a time when moviegoing decisions matter most.
What This Signals Going Forward
This New Year’s Day upset doesn’t spell doom for Avatar: Fire and Ash, nor does it erase its global appeal. What it does signal is a more competitive landscape—one where familiarity alone isn’t enough and where films with strong appeal and staying power can outperform even the biggest franchises on key dates.
Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
For Zootopia 2, the result reinforces its status as one of the most resilient theatrical performers in China this cycle. For Avatar, it’s a reminder that audience loyalty, especially in overseas markets, can no longer be taken for granted.
As 2026 unfolds, the Zootopia 2 Avatar contrast offers a clear takeaway: longevity and audience connection are proving just as important as spectacle, even on the world’s biggest box office stages.
Are you surprised that Zootopia 2 is once again defeating Avatar at the box office in China? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Disney Temporarily Alters Indiana Jones Stunt Show After On-Stage Incident Injures Cast Member
