Zootopia 2 Shatters Box Office Records with Historic $272 Million China Opening

Disney’s animated sequel Zootopia 2 has delivered a stunning performance in China. The film earned a colossal $272 million in its first five days. This marks a massive comeback for a Hollywood blockbuster in the critical market.

The huge opening is the second-best ever for a U.S. film in China. It trails only Avengers: Endgame, according to industry tracking. The success signals a potential revival for American cinema in the region.

Record-Breaking Animated Launch in a Key Market

The sequel’s launch sets a new high mark for animated imports. It now holds the record for the biggest opening for a non-local cartoon. It also scored the highest single-day performance and cumulative total for the category.

Audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The film earned a 9.7 score on Maoyan, a major Chinese ticketing platform. This score surpasses the original Zootopia and other recent hits like Inside Out 2.

Sustained Franchise Appeal and Future Projections

The original film’s deep cultural connection paved the way for this success. Known as “Crazy Animal City” in China, the first movie was a sleeper hit in 2016. It ultimately earned $236 million, resonating strongly with young audiences.

Disney nurtured this connection with a dedicated land at Shanghai Disney Resort. The park hosted the film’s global premiere last November. This sustained engagement created perfect conditions for the sequel’s record run.

Industry projections are now exceptionally high. Maoyan forecasts Zootopia 2 could earn over half a billion dollars in China alone. This would make it the highest-grossing U.S. release in the market in years.

The phenomenal success of Zootopia 2 proves that with the right story, Hollywood can still connect with Chinese audiences. This historic China box office performance redefines the potential for Western animation in the global marketplace.

Dropping this nugget your way

How does Zootopia 2’s opening compare to other U.S. films in China?

Its $272 million five-day debut is the second-largest ever for an American film. Only *Avengers: Endgame* opened bigger in the market.

Why is Zootopia so popular in China?

The story of Judy Hopps leaving her rural home for a big city deeply resonates with many young Chinese viewers. The original film maintains an extremely high 9.3 score on Douban.

What is the box office forecast for Zootopia 2 in China?

Local ticketing platform Maoyan projects a final total around $590 million. This would make it an enormous success by any measure.

How did Disney build hype for the sequel in China?

The company opened a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort in 2023. It also held the global premiere there, creating significant local excitement.

What does this mean for other Hollywood films in China?

The success suggests a strong audience appetite remains for top-tier Hollywood event films. It could signal a positive trend for other major franchises.