Zootopia 2 Poised To Dethrone Dwayne Johnson’s Biggest Opening Weekend At The Box Office
Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps are back on the beat as Zootopia 2 picks up just weeks after the original, and the first trailer has audiences roaring. With 2025 light on big animated releases, this sequel looks poised to steal the year.
Disney is lining up a Thanksgiving rematch: Zootopia 2 is headed to theaters in late November 2025, and early chatter says the fox-and-bunny cop duo might chase down Moana 2's holiday opening record. Yes, that would mean Dwayne Johnson's best-ever weekend as an animated lead could get bumped by a bunch of mammals in badge gear.
So what is Zootopia 2 actually doing?
The sequel picks up just a few weeks after the first movie, with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde back on duty and, from the sounds of it, juggling more animal chaos, misunderstandings, and crime-busting. Disney dropped a trailer that drew a loud thumbs-up online, which is exactly the kind of momentum you want heading into the holidays.
The holiday showdown: Zootopia 2 vs. Moana 2
Both films are Thanksgiving plays, and that window is famously kind to family titles. Last year, Moana 2 used the holiday wind at its back to put up a big number and set a personal best for Johnson in an opening weekend.
- Moana 2 opened on Nov 27, 2024 and, per Box Office Mojo, pulled in $140 million in its first three days, buoyed by Thanksgiving crowds.
- Zootopia 2 is dated for Nov 26, 2025. Box Office Theory is currently projecting a domestic 3-day debut in the $115–$130 million range (or higher).
- If Zootopia 2 lands $141 million or more over that Fri–Sun frame, it would top Johnson's highest weekend opening to date.
Why Zootopia 2 has a real shot
2025 has leaned heavily into biopics, crime dramas, and horror, with relatively few big animated releases. Translation: less competition for families when Zootopia 2 arrives. Add in the nine-year nostalgia factor for adults who loved the original, plus the usual Thanksgiving bump, and the runway is pretty clear. The strong trailer response does not hurt either.
A little reality check
Opening weekend forecasts are guesses until tickets are actually sold, and Thanksgiving math can get messy with previews and extended frames. But the setup here is undeniably friendly: a popular IP, a crowded holiday audience, and a lighter-than-usual animated slate.
The date
Zootopia 2 hits U.S. theaters on Nov 26, 2025. Think it clears that $141 million bar?