“Zootopia 2” has crossed $1.7 billion worldwide, overtaking “Inside Out 2” to become the top-grossing animated release in Hollywood history. The milestone gives Disney its sixth billion-dollar earner of 2025 and reshapes expectations for family titles at the global box office.
A record-setting debut
The Judy Hopps sequel opened to $559.5 million worldwide in its first five days, the largest worldwide animated launch on record and the biggest debut of the year. Domestic ticket sales reached $156 million over that span; the North American tally has since climbed to $390 million, while overseas markets have contributed $1.31 billion. Combined, the film now sits ninth on the all-time global chart, directly behind “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
The result pushes the 2016 original, which finished with $1.024 billion, into second place among Disney Animation franchises. Analysts credit the follow-up’s city-hopping mystery plot, returning voice cast and day-and-date release in most major territories for sustaining momentum six weeks after launch.
How the numbers compare
Among animated features, only China’s “Ne Zha 2” has earned more, with $2.25 billion. Within the Hollywood ecosystem, “Zootopia 2” has eclipsed every Pixar or DreamWorks entry, including “Frozen II” ($1.45 billion) and “Incredibles 2” ($1.24 billion). China leads individual territories at $610 million, followed by the United Kingdom ($96 million), France ($87 million), Japan ($82 million) and South Korea ($78 million).
The 77 percent international share illustrates how dependent event films have become on overseas revenue. Roughly 36 percent of the global gross originates from a single market—China—where local competition has intensified since the first film’s release eight years ago.
What the run means for studios
For Disney, the performance offsets under-performance in other divisions and validates the company’s strategy of reviving mid-2010s IP. The company’s share price rose three percent in after-hours trading once the $1.7 billion threshold was crossed. Competitors are now re-evaluating slates that rely heavily on live-action tentpoles; Universal recently moved an untitled Illumination project into the 2027 corridor previously held by a horror franchise, and Warner Bros. has accelerated development of its “Looney Tunes” cinematic universe.
Exhibitors benefit as well. The film has accounted for 28 percent of total domestic box office since March, driving concession sales and re-energizing mid-week attendance. Cinema owners in Europe and Latin America have extended hours to accommodate demand, contributing to the strongest spring frame since 2019.
Can it reach $2 billion?
With $1.7 billion in the bank and Japan still in previews, analysts see a plausible path to the $2 billion mark. The film needs roughly $300 million more; Japan, Germany and remaining Latin American territories are projected to deliver $110 million combined, leaving $190 million to come from repeat viewings and an upcoming release in India. Historical legs for family titles point to a final global haul near $1.9 billion, though a stronger-than-expected run in India could push the total over the symbolic $2 billion line.
Even at the current figure, “Zootopia 2” has rewritten the animation record book and reinforced the commercial power of the theatrical window in an era dominated by streaming narratives.
The China factor
China’s $610 million contribution did not happen in a vacuum. Disney partnered with local streamer Tencent to launch a six-week promotional campaign that included augmented-reality filters on WeChat and a tie-in with the country’s largest ride-hailing app. The strategy paid off: the film scored the highest Middle Kingdom gross for an imported animated title, surpassing the previous record of $376 million held by “Frozen II”.
Merchandise sales in China have topped $180 million, according to licensing partner Alibaba, while theme-park exposure at Shanghai Disneyland has kept the brand visible between film releases. The combined revenue stream illustrates why studios now green-light family projects with Chinese co-financing partners and culturally adaptable storylines.
| Territory | Box Office Revenue | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| China | $610 million | 36% |
| US/Canada | $390 million | 23% |
| Rest of World | $700 million | 41% |
IP valuation ripple effect
A $1.7 billion theatrical gross typically unlocks two to three times that amount in ancillary revenue. Disney Consumer Products has already shipped $400 million in plush toys, apparel and mobile-game tie-ins. Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate the Zootopia franchise could be worth $5–6 billion across all revenue channels, putting it on par with “Toy Story” and “Cars” within the Disney ecosystem.
The compounding value of sequels also changes how studios model returns. The first “Zootopia” needed 11 weeks to reach $1 billion; the sequel crossed that line in 17 days. If each installment accelerates earnings, the net present value of a franchise increases exponentially, justifying higher production and marketing budgets.
Strategic takeaways for Hollywood
Animation now delivers the most consistent nine-figure returns in the business. Over the past decade, animated titles have averaged a 3.4x production-to-global-box-office multiple versus 2.1x for live-action tentpoles, according to research firm Franchise Metrics. Lower talent participation costs and evergreen consumer-products potential make the genre especially attractive to risk-averse financiers.
Streaming services are taking notice. Disney+ will move the film from theatrical to subscription in 120 days instead of the traditional 90, a window shortened to stem churn. Netflix has green-lit four new animated event films for 2028, citing “Zootopia 2” as proof that audiences still differentiate between theatrical and at-home experiences.
Looking ahead
The $1.7 billion benchmark resets expectations for every major studio. Animation divisions that once fought for mid-level budgets now command the same resources as superhero sequels. Expect increased investment in hybrid 2-D/3-D technology, regional story consultants and cross-platform marketing campaigns designed to resonate from Beijing to São Paulo.
As the summer season begins, “Zootopia 2” will cede screens to new tentpoles, yet its financial footprint will linger. The film has demonstrated that, when executed at premium quality levels, animated storytelling can outperform any genre at the global box office—and do so with a shelf life measured in decades, not quarters.
