Zootopia 2 Smashes Box Office Milestone, Outpaces Endgame in China
Zootopia 2 has stormed past the billion-dollar mark in record time, setting new benchmarks and leaving audiences worldwide buzzing. Find out how this animated sequel is rewriting the box office playbook.
Animated sequels don’t always set the world on fire, but Zootopia 2 has bucked the trend in spectacular fashion. The much-anticipated follow-up has soared past the $1 billion mark in just 11 days, making it the quickest PG-rated film to ever hit that milestone. While it’s still trailing behind Avengers: Endgame, which managed the same feat in only five days, the latest Zootopia instalment has managed to outdo the Marvel juggernaut in at least one key area.
Chinese Audiences Drive Record-Breaking Success
A massive chunk of the sequel’s takings has come from China, where it’s raked in a staggering $440 million so far. Even more impressive, it’s managed to outpace Endgame at certain points, notching up the highest single-day earnings for a non-Chinese film in the country—$104 million in one day, to be exact. That’s a new record, leaving Endgame’s previous best in the dust.
It’s not just about the numbers, either. The film’s staying power in Chinese cinemas has been remarkable, with punters turning out in droves well after opening weekend. That sort of momentum is rare for Hollywood releases these days, especially with the local market often favouring homegrown productions.
Chasing the $2 Billion Club
From the outset, most folks reckoned the sequel would breeze past a billion, given Disney’s track record with animated franchises. Now, with the current pace, even $1.5 billion seems well within reach. But the real test will be whether it can join the exclusive $2 billion club—a feat only managed by Avatar: The Way of Water and Ne Zha 2 in recent years.
Both those blockbusters relied heavily on Chinese box office returns, with Ne Zha 2 almost entirely propped up by its domestic audience. Hollywood films haven’t had it so easy in China lately, but Zootopia 2 has proven to be a rare exception. If it keeps pulling in crowds, especially as a four-quadrant film with broad appeal, there’s every chance it could get close to that elusive mark.
Competition Heats Up at the Box Office
There’s a twist in the tale, though. Avatar: Fire & Ash is about to hit cinemas, and James Cameron’s latest is expected to draw huge numbers in China as well. That could put a dent in Zootopia 2’s run at the top, making the $2 billion target a bit trickier to reach. Still, with the sequel already smashing records and drawing rave reviews, it’s safe to say Disney’s execs won’t be losing any sleep if it falls just short of the all-time high.
What do you make of the sequel’s box office blitz? Share your thoughts below. Zootopia 2 is currently screening in cinemas across the globe.