^{In Disney’s “Zootopia 2,” detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who turns the mammal metropolis of Zootopia upside down.}

^Disney

^‍

Global Box Office Triumph

Disney Animation’s “Zootopia 2” is poised to surpass $1 billion in global box office revenue on Friday, making it only the second Hollywood film to reach this milestone in 2025. The film has performed exceptionally well in China, contributing nearly $450 million to its international earnings, despite recent restrictions on American theatrical releases.

Heading into the weekend, the animated sequel has already earned $232.7 million domestically in the U.S. and $753.4 million internationally, demonstrating a strong appetite for family-friendly entertainment worldwide. Jared Bush, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, described the achievement as “a Zootopia dream come true,” emphasizing the communal experience of audiences enjoying the film across diverse markets.

Record-Breaking Performance in China

“Zootopia 2” opened to the highest-grossing debut ever for a non-local animated film in China and became the top-grossing foreign animated title in the country within just five days. This milestone underscores the film’s unique ability to succeed in an international market that has significantly reduced the number of American releases.

Industry analyst Shawn Robbins highlighted the critical role of China’s box office, noting that “reaching $1 billion has become a little more of a novelty again,” with the Chinese market serving as a major growth driver for global ticket sales.

Domestic Market Trends

The billion-dollar success of “Zootopia 2” also reflects a broader shift in U.S. domestic box office trends. PG-rated family films have outperformed PG-13 and R-rated releases this year, generating $2.7 billion in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada compared with $2.5 billion for PG-13 films and $2.4 billion for R-rated titles.

This trend, which began in 2024 when PG films overtook PG-13 films in ticket sales for the first time, highlights the growing influence of younger audiences in determining box office success. According to Comscore, children’s moviegoers often benefit from lower ticket prices, making the achievement of billion-dollar revenue benchmarks even more remarkable.

Implications for Hollywood

The success of “Zootopia 2” demonstrates the continued viability of family-oriented animated features in a global market that has faced challenges with restricted foreign releases and shifting consumer preferences. Alongside the live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” Disney now holds two of the only Hollywood titles to breach the billion-dollar mark this year, reinforcing the studio’s dominant position in international markets and its ability to adapt to evolving audience tastes.

As studios evaluate future release strategies, the performance of “Zootopia 2” may influence the prioritization of PG-rated films and international box office potential, particularly in markets like China that remain critical for blockbuster success.