Disney’s animated sequel, Zootopia 2, has reclaimed the top position at the domestic box office, earning $26.3 million in its third weekend. The film has officially crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide earnings, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. This success highlights the film’s strong appeal, particularly as it revisits the vibrant animal metropolis first introduced in 2016.
Global Success and Audience Appeal
With a total gross of $1.14 billion globally, Zootopia 2 has become the second film released in 2025 to reach the billion-dollar milestone, following Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake, which grossed $1.04 billion. The film’s remarkable performance has been significantly bolstered by its success in China, where it has collected an impressive $502.4 million. This achievement marks it as one of the biggest Hollywood hits in the region in recent years, underscoring the franchise’s international appeal nearly a decade after the original film’s release.
A spokesperson for Disney commented, “Zootopia 2 has exceeded every expectation. Its universal themes and world-class storytelling have struck a chord with families everywhere.”
Weekend Box Office Overview
The weekend’s box office served as a brief lull before the anticipated release of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash next weekend, with no major new studio releases to divert audience attention. In second place, Universal’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 earned $19.5 million, despite experiencing a significant 70% drop from its debut weekend. The horror sequel has now accumulated $95.5 million domestically against a budget of $36 million, marking it as a solid performer for the studio.
Meanwhile, Wicked: For Good held the third spot with $8.6 million, continuing its strong showing following positive audience reviews.
Among the new releases, James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay, his first directorial effort in 15 years, struggled to attract audiences, bringing in a mere $2.1 million from 2,500 theaters. The political dramedy, featuring Emma Mackey as a young governor, received lackluster reviews, achieving only 22% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite a strong supporting cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Ayo Edebiri, and Woody Harrelson, the film’s $35 million budget has resulted in one of the weakest openings in 2025.
Looking ahead, industry analysts are optimistic about the upcoming holiday season, which historically represents a lucrative period for theaters. Upcoming major releases include Avatar: Fire and Ash, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Marty Supreme, Anaconda, and Song Sung Blue.
As the year draws to a close, the final weeks of 2025 could provide the much-needed box office surge that Hollywood has been anticipating. For ongoing updates on global box office performances, film releases, and insights into the entertainment industry, audiences can turn to InvestRecords.com, a trusted source for movie and media news.
