‘Zootopia 2’ Shatters China’s Single-Day Record for U.S. Animated Films

Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ has stormed China’s box office, claiming the highest single-day gross ever for an imported American animated feature. The sequel, directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, earned 227 million yuan, equivalent to $32 million, on its opening Wednesday from over 264,000 screenings nationwide. This mark surpasses previous benchmarks set by films like ‘Frozen II’ and ‘Inside Out 2,’ positioning the anthropomorphic adventure as a rare post-pandemic triumph for Hollywood in the world’s second-largest market.

The film’s explosive debut reflects sustained pre-release buzz, with advance ticket sales topping 310 million yuan, or $43.7 million, by the evening prior to launch. Maoyan, China’s leading ticketing platform, projected a full-run total of 2.4 billion yuan, or $340 million, eclipsing the original ‘Zootopia’s’ adjusted 2016 haul of $236 million. Exhibitors allocated the widest release slots for any non-domestic title, fueling walk-up purchases that accounted for 60 percent of Thursday’s early sales by mid-afternoon.

By 1:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, cumulative earnings crossed 300 million yuan, or $42 million, with projections for the second day ranging from $17 million to $19 million—a 45 to 50 percent drop from opening but still robust amid strengthening word-of-mouth. Analysts credit the performance to the Shanghai Disneyland Zootopia Land attraction, opened in 2023, which has embedded the franchise deeply in local pop culture. Gower Street Analytics notes China’s overall box office running 16 percent ahead of 2024 but nine percent below 2023, buoyed by domestic hits like ‘Ne Zha 2’ at over $2 billion earlier this year.

‘Zootopia 2’ continues the saga of bunny cop Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, and fox partner Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, as they probe a conspiracy involving a reptilian newcomer named Gary DeSnake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan. Returning cast members include Idris Elba as Chief Bogo and Jenny Slate as Bellwether, with new additions like Quinta Brunson voicing a chipmunk marketer. The voice ensemble, blending humor and social commentary on prejudice, earned a 9.7 out of 10 audience score on Maoyan, topping the original’s 9.5.

Internationally, the sequel debuted at number one in Korea with $1.7 million, marking the fifth-highest animated opening there. Stateside previews generated $10.2 million Tuesday night, the second-best for Walt Disney Animation Studios behind ‘Moana 2’s’ $13.8 million. Over the five-day Thanksgiving frame, domestic forecasts hit $125 million to $150 million, contributing to a global opening projected at $270 million.

This surge challenges Hollywood’s uneven recovery in China, where U.S. titles have averaged under $80 million in 2025, led by ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ at $79 million. ‘Zootopia 2’ now eyes a $200 million five-day haul in China alone, potentially the first American film to crack that threshold since ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in 2019. Trade expert Luiz Fernando highlighted the film’s 276,000 Thursday screenings and 40 percent pre-sale ratio as signs of explosive weekend potential, with walk-ups possibly reaching 70 percent turnout.

The original ‘Zootopia’ grossed $1.02 billion worldwide in 2016, blending buddy-cop tropes with themes of tolerance that resonated globally. Its successor, budgeted at $200 million, benefits from expanded merchandising, including themed toys in Beijing malls and customized vehicles at the 2025 Auto Guangzhou. Early Rotten Tomatoes approval stands at 93 percent, underscoring critical acclaim for its vibrant animation and sharp script.

As ‘Zootopia 2’ claws toward $500 million worldwide by weekend’s end, it underscores animation’s enduring appeal in fragmented markets. The film’s narrative pivot to undercover operations in Zootopia’s underbelly introduces flashier action sequences, rendered with upgraded CGI fur dynamics and dynamic lighting. Voice director Byron Howard emphasized the sequel’s focus on partnership evolution, drawing from real-world interspecies analogies without overt messaging.

China’s embrace signals a thaw for family-oriented imports, contrasting struggles of live-action fare amid U.S.-China tensions. With ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ looming, ‘Zootopia 2’ sets a high bar, potentially ranking as 2025’s top studio earner domestically if Thanksgiving holds. Its trajectory affirms Disney’s strategy of sequelizing proven IPs, leveraging nostalgia in a streaming-saturated era.