‘Zootopia 2’ Just Shattered the Most Important Box Office Record Ever
Walt Disney Animation Studios has a new record holder. Zootopia 2 has climbed past every other film released under the studio’s banner to become its highest-grossing movie ever.
By the end of December 31, 2025, the sequel had earned about $1.46 billion worldwide. Around $333 million came from theaters in the United States and Canada, while international markets added roughly $1.13 billion.
These numbers pushed the film just ahead of Frozen 2, which previously held the studio record.
Ssssmash that play button for the new #Zootopia2 trailer 🐍 See it only in theaters November 26. pic.twitter.com/P3Ks3N1siO
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) May 20, 2025
The movie had a strong start from day one. It opened over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday and pulled in nearly $159 million domestically. Globally, its opening reached more than $560 million, setting a new high for animated films and ranking among the biggest openings of any movie type.
China played a major role in the film’s success. During its first weekend there, the movie earned over $270 million. It also made history by crossing $100 million in a single day, something no Hollywood film had done in that market before. Less than three weeks after release, the movie passed the $1 billion mark worldwide.
While Zootopia 2 now leads Walt Disney Animation Studios, it is not the top animated film in Disney’s overall catalog. Pixar’s Inside Out 2 still ranks higher with nearly $1.7 billion. On a global scale, China’s Ne Zha 2 remains the highest-grossing animated film ever, with more than $2 billion.
The film was also well received by audiences and critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 91% approval rating. The site’s consensus says: “Cleverly laying a thoughtful message onto another crackerjack caper while solidifying Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as one of the most endearing buddy pairings in ages, Zootopia 2 more than justifies a return trip to the big city.”
Metacritic lists the movie with a score of 73, showing generally positive reviews. Moviegoers gave it an “A” grade through CinemaScore, and PostTrak surveys showed strong audience approval and word-of-mouth interest.
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