In a remarkable turn of events, Zootopia 2 has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, surpassing A Minecraft Movie with a staggering 4.2 million in North American ticket sales. This achievement, confirmed by Variety, highlights a nail-biting competition that saw the two films separated by a mere 0, a margin comparable to the price of a luxury vehicle. While the domestic race was tight, the global performance tells a different story, with Zootopia 2 firmly establishing itself as a box office titan.
.85 Billion Worldwide. Eighth Highest-Grossing Film of All Time. Let That Sink In.
Before clinching the domestic crown, Zootopia 2 had already shattered numerous box office records in 2025. It stands as the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film ever, eclipsing Inside Out 2, and ranks as the eighth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, with a remarkable global total of .85 billion. The film’s international earnings reached .425 billion, placing it second among animated films, just behind China’s Ne Zha 2, which garnered an impressive .2 billion primarily from its domestic market.
The domestic title had eluded Zootopia 2 for some time, as A Minecraft Movie held the top spot since April. However, the enduring popularity of Nick and Judy, the film’s beloved characters, kept audiences returning to theaters for thirteen consecutive weeks, even after the film became available for digital purchase on January 27.
Minecraft Put Up a Fight, But…
Looking back, Zootopia 2 debuted on November 26, 2025, during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, amassing 8.8 million over five days across approximately 4,000 theaters. This marked the second-largest Thanksgiving opening in history, trailing only Moana 2. The film’s global opening weekend reached an astonishing 9 million, ranking as the fourth-biggest worldwide debut ever, following the likes of Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
What set Zootopia 2 apart was its remarkable momentum, quickly becoming the fastest PG-rated film to reach billion globally, achieving this milestone in just 17 days. Families continued to flock to theaters well into the new year, and with the home media release set for March 3, the film’s theatrical run shows no signs of slowing down.
China Changed Everything. And I Mean Everything.
The film’s phenomenal success can largely be attributed to its performance in China, where it grossed over 0 million, surpassing Avengers: Endgame to become the highest-grossing Western film in Chinese box office history. The original Zootopia, known as Crazy Animal City in China, had already established a strong cultural presence, earning 6 million through word of mouth in 2016. The sequel’s 2 million opening in China was the second-best ever for a U.S. film in that market, and audiences rated it a remarkable 9.7 on Maoyan.
Disney’s strategic opening of a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland in late 2023 kept the franchise in the public eye. The film’s themes of navigating differences and fostering trust resonated deeply with Chinese audiences, especially at a time when many Hollywood films struggled to make an impact in the region.
Critics Loved It. Audiences Loved It More. And the Awards Came Knocking.
With a 91% critics score and a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Zootopia 2 has earned both Certified Fresh and Verified Hot designations, along with an A CinemaScore. This audience score is the highest ever for a Disney Animation or Pixar sequel, a testament to its widespread appeal. The film recently won Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs, a significant achievement considering the original Zootopia missed out on this accolade in 2017.
Co-creator Jared Bush expressed heartfelt gratitude during his acceptance speech, emphasizing the film’s core message about the beauty of diversity. As the awards season progresses, Zootopia 2 is also nominated for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards, alongside nominations at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards.
Disney Owns 2025. Like, Actually Owns It.
With this latest milestone, Disney now holds three of the top four domestic releases of 2025:
- Zootopia 2 — 4.2 million
- A Minecraft Movie (Warner Bros.) — 4.08 million
- Lilo & Stitch (Disney) — 3 million
- Avatar: Fire and Ash (Disney) — 9.5 million
Additionally, Disney’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps secured the ninth position with 4 million, resulting in four films from the studio making the top ten. Following the success of Inside Out 2 in 2024, Disney has solidified its dominance in the box office landscape.
So What Comes Next for the Franchise?
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, with a voice cast featuring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprising their roles, Zootopia 2 has set the stage for future installments. The filmmakers are already in the early stages of developing a third film, although it has yet to receive official greenlight from Disney. Given the franchise’s impressive earnings of nearly billion across two films, anticipation for a continuation seems inevitable.
The Blu-ray release is scheduled for March 3, with the Oscars airing on March 15. As the buzz continues, one can only imagine the playful banter between a bunny and a fox regarding who deserves the credit for this monumental success.
