by PENG Peng

Disney's Zootopia 2 led China's box office with 1.9 billion yuan (about US$270 million) in its first five days, data from Lighthouse, a box-office tracker backed by Alibaba Pictures, showed. It is now the country's top-grossing imported title of 2025.

China has already become the film's biggest market worldwide. Maoyan Pro, the analytics arm of major ticketing platform Maoyan, reported that the sequel earned US$274 million in the week to Nov. 30 — surpassing North America over the same period.

The film also set new single-day records. Lighthouse data showed daily takings on Nov. 29 reached 700 million yuan, the strongest single-day result for any imported movie in China and the highest non-holiday performance on record. Maoyan put admissions that day at 17.32 million, the most ever for an animated film in the market.

Released on Nov. 26, Zootopia 2 opened with 213 million yuan (US$30 million) after presales exceeded 300 million yuan. Maoyan projects a mainland total of around 4.25 billion yuan, which would make it Hollywood's biggest hit in China since Avengers: Endgame. BoxOfficeTheory estimates global revenue could approach US$2 billion.

The first Zootopia, released in 2016, grossed US$212 million in China and US$1.026 billion worldwide.

China's overall box office has rebounded. CCTV News said 2025 ticket sales, including presales, have surpassed 48 billion yuan, already above last year's full-year level. November revenue exceeded 3 billion yuan, the highest for the month since 2019.

The sequel has also driven a rush of merchandise partnerships, with more than 60 brand tie-ins across toys, foodservice, fashion and consumer goods. McDonald's launched eight themed toys; POP MART released new blind-box series; and Starbucks and Luckin Coffee rolled out co-branded drinks and accessories. Jewelry group Chow Tai Fook introduced themed gold pendants.

On Dewu (also known as Poizon), a major Chinese resale platform, hidden-edition POP MART figures tied to the film sold for 3.5 to 4.8 times their retail prices. Chow Tai Fook's Judy-themed pendant, priced at 3,280 yuan, is among the priciest official collaborations.

Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the sequel continues the story of officer Judy Hopps and fox Nick Wilde as they return to the mammal metropolis for a new adventure.