Disney says ‘Zootopia 2’ is China’s top Hollywood film ever

[SEOUL] Walt Disney said Zootopia 2 has overtaken 2019’s Avengers: Endgame to become the biggest Hollywood film ever released in China when measured in local currency.

The animated sequel has grossed about 4.3 billion yuan (S$789 million), the company said in a statement on Monday (Jan 5). That translates into US$610 million. It was released in theatres on Nov 26 in China, the world’s second-largest movie market.

The film’s breakout performance has turned into a broader cultural moment in the country. Fans have flocked to cinemas carrying Zootopia-themed merchandise, from plush toys to handbags, while some screenings have even welcomed moviegoers with pets. Zootopia 2 reclaimed the top spot at the Chinese box office over the first weekend of 2026, dethroning Disney’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, which opened Dec 19.

A surge in demand for animated blockbusters, including Zootopia 2 and local hit Ne Zha 2, has helped lift China’s overall box-office revenue in 2025 by 20 per cent to 51.8 billion yuan, even as other releases struggle to attract audiences.

Animated films generated nearly half of last year’s box-office revenue, with 57 titles grossing more than 25 billion yuan, according to a report by Maoyan. While repeat viewings by fans helped boost sales for Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2, local films earning less than one billion yuan saw a sharp decline, the report said.

Family-friendly films are also doing well in the US, with A Minecraft Movie from Warner Bros Discovery and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch ranking in the top two spots domestically. BLOOMBERG