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LOS ANGELES — Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Zootopia 2" has reclaimed the No. 1 position at the North American box office in its third weekend, earning an estimated $26.3 million while pushing its global total past the coveted $1 billion milestone. The animated sequel, featuring the return of optimistic rabbit police officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and sly fox Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman), has amassed approximately $1.14 billion worldwide as of December 15, 2025, cementing its status as one of the year's biggest hits.
Released on November 26, 2025, "Zootopia 2" exploded out of the gate with a record-shattering $559.5 million global opening over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday frame — the highest animated debut ever and the top worldwide launch of 2025. Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the film follows Hopps and Wilde as they investigate a mysterious reptilian newcomer, Gary De'Snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), who upends the bustling mammal metropolis of Zootopia. The sequel builds on the original 2016 film's themes of prejudice and partnership, introducing new districts and characters while delivering sharp humor and stunning animation.
After briefly yielding the domestic crown to Universal and Blumhouse's "Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" in its second weekend, "Zootopia 2" bounced back strongly this frame with a modest 39% drop, bringing its North American cumulative to around $259 million. Internationally, the film has earned over $877 million, with an extraordinary performance in China contributing more than $502 million — making it one of the biggest Hollywood releases in the market in recent years and the second-highest-grossing non-local animated film there.
The billion-dollar crossing, achieved in just 17 days, marks "Zootopia 2" as the fastest PG-rated film and the quickest Hollywood animated title to reach the benchmark. It joins Disney's live-action "Lilo & Stitch" remake ($1.03–1.04 billion) as the only two Hollywood films of 2025 to surpass $1 billion globally, trailing only China's massive "Ne Zha 2" ($1.9 billion). This achievement underscores Disney's continued dominance in animation, with the studio now boasting multiple billion-dollar earners, including predecessors like "Frozen," "Frozen 2," and the original "Zootopia" ($1.02 billion in 2016).
Critics and audiences have embraced the sequel, praising its witty script, vibrant visuals, and timely social commentary. It holds a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore, driving strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings, particularly among families during the holiday season. The film's success has also boosted the franchise on Disney+, with the original "Zootopia" and spin-off series "Zootopia+" logging over 725 million viewing hours globally.
Jared Bush, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, celebrated the milestone: "This means audiences are coming to theaters for a shared experience... from all walks of life around the world — and that is a Zootopia dream come true."
The quiet pre-holiday weekend saw no major new wide releases, allowing holdovers to dominate. "Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" placed second with about $19.5 million, pushing its domestic total past $95 million and global to $174 million. Other notable performers included "Wicked: For Good" in its fourth weekend, adding to its strong run toward $300 million domestically.
Industry analysts note that PG-rated family films like "Zootopia 2" have outperformed edgier fare in 2025, signaling a shift toward inclusive, theatrical-event programming. With the lucrative Christmas corridor ahead — including the anticipated arrival of James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Ash" on December 19 — Hollywood hopes for a strong finish to a year of mixed results.
"Zootopia 2"'s runaway performance highlights the enduring appeal of Disney's animated franchises, especially in international markets where restrictions on Hollywood imports persist. As the film continues its theatrical run, it has already surpassed the lifetime global haul of the original and positioned itself among the top animated earners ever.
