Zootopia 2 Roars to Record China Box Office — Only One Disney Film Ranks Higher

Zootopia 2 did not tiptoe into release weekend. It kicked the door in, especially in China, where it posted a massive one-day start and then kept gobbling up No. 1 slots as it rolled across the globe. The numbers are big, but the takeaway is simple: people were ready to hang out with Judy and Nick again.

China came out roaring

The sequel scored a $34 million opening day in China, which instantly puts it among the strongest single-day showings ever for a U.S. animated title there. For Disney specifically, only Frozen 2 has ever started bigger in the market, with a $52.8 million opening day (per Box Office Mojo). That is rare air, and Disney will happily breathe it.

International rollout: fast, loud, everywhere

Once it left China, Zootopia 2 basically planted its flag in most territories it touched. Highlights so far:

• Korea: Fifth-biggest animated opening day in the country’s history, and the second-best opening day for Disney Animation there behind Frozen 2. Day-one gross: $1.7 million.
• France: Biggest 2025 opening day for an animated release from an MPA studio (read: major Hollywood distributor) at $2.4 million.
• Germany: $700,000 opening day.
• Italy: $600,000 opening day (those European figures are per Variety).

By Sunday, the movie is expected to be playing across roughly 93% of the international map. The outlier is Japan, which joins the party next weekend.

What the movie is actually doing on screen

On paper, it looks like a spreadsheet monster. On screen, it is the thing fans signed up for: Judy and Nick back on the case, snapping at each other, then saving each other, then doing it all over again. The sequel leans harder into the buddy-cop vibe, moves briskly, and throws in a reptile-tinged curveball to keep the mystery fresh. Lots of speed. Lots of sarcasm. Plenty of heart.

Is this Disney’s strongest sequel?

Judging by the early chatter, the crowd thinks so. One reaction that kept popping up: the movie goes bigger without losing what made the first one click. Here is a sample that captures the mood:

"Zootopia 2 is, confidently, Disney's BEST sequel to date. The charm from the original is still there, and more action packed and heart warming. Nick and Judy are lowkey one of the best duos in the Disney library. Also that Ratatouille reference was peak."

Elsewhere, fans called it a 10/10 while asking Disney to quit teasing a full-on romance between Judy and Nick, singled out Nick Wilde’s character growth as a standout, gave it an 8/10 for the sharper banter, visuals, and that reptile-themed mystery, and yes, a few people said it made them cry. In other words: the sequel trick might have worked.

The bottom line

Zootopia 2 is crushing overseas out of the gate and, more importantly, delivering what fans wanted nine years later. Are we looking at Disney’s best sequel? It sure feels like that’s where the audience is leaning. Zootopia 2 is in theaters now.