Zootopia 2 Smashes Box Office History, Becomes Hollywood’s Highest-Grossing Animated Film Ever!

By ultapaltakhabar Jan 19, 2026 0

Disney’s blockbuster sequel overtakes Inside Out 2, storms China, enters global all-time Top 10, and cements animation’s new golden era

Move over superheroes — the animals have officially taken over the box office.

Disney’s long-awaited sequel “Zootopia 2” has just achieved a historic milestone, crossing a massive $1.7 billion global box office, officially becoming Hollywood’s highest-grossing animated film of all time. In doing so, the film has surpassed Pixar’s 2024 megahit “Inside Out 2,” which previously held the record at $1.69 billion worldwide.

The record-breaking run doesn’t stop there. With this milestone, “Zootopia 2” now ranks as the ninth-highest-grossing movie in global box office history, placing it among cinematic titans like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” ($1.9 billion) and “Avengers: Infinity War” ($2 billion). The only animated film ahead of it globally remains China’s juggernaut “Ne Zha 2” ($2.25 billion), which is not part of Hollywood’s Motion Picture Association releases.

For Disney, this victory signals not just commercial dominance — it marks a new era of animation supremacy at the global box office.

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Disney Celebrates as Fans Power the Victory Lap

Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman acknowledged the extraordinary achievement with a heartfelt statement crediting audiences worldwide.

“This milestone belongs first and foremost to the fans around the world whose enthusiasm made it possible. We’re incredibly proud of our filmmakers Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Yvett Merino and the entire team at Walt Disney Animation Studios for creating a film that connects so deeply with audiences everywhere. ‘Zootopia 2’ is an extraordinary achievement.”

Industry insiders say Disney executives are quietly celebrating this win as one of the studio’s biggest post-pandemic triumphs — proof that theatrical animation still commands massive global audiences when storytelling clicks.

Record-Breaking Opening Set the Tone

“Zootopia 2” exploded out of the gate when it opened ahead of Thanksgiving, delivering a jaw-dropping $156 million domestic opening and $559.5 million globally in just five days. That debut became the largest global opening weekend for any animated film in history, instantly signaling that the sequel was heading for record territory.

Since then, the film has refused to slow down.

Domestic gross: $390 million
International gross: $1.31 billion
Worldwide total: $1.7 billion

Among its many box office milestones, the film also became:

The fastest Hollywood animated movie to reach $1 billion globally
The quickest PG-rated film ever to cross $1 billion worldwide
The biggest animated release of the year
One of Disney’s top international performers of all time

Simply put, “Zootopia 2” is a box office monster.

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China Delivers a Stunning Box Office Surprise

Perhaps the most remarkable chapter of the film’s success story comes from China, a market that has been notoriously difficult for Hollywood films since the pandemic.

Against all odds, “Zootopia 2” has amassed a staggering $619 million in China alone, making it the second-highest-grossing Hollywood film ever in the country, trailing only Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” at $632 million.

Trade analysts credit the film’s universal themes, vibrant animation, humor-driven storytelling, and strong brand recall from the original “Zootopia” as major factors behind its explosive Chinese performance. Social media buzz, family repeat viewings, and premium format screenings helped sustain momentum week after week.

Many studio executives now see “Zootopia 2” as a blueprint for rebuilding Hollywood’s presence in China.

How Zootopia 2 Beat Inside Out 2

Earlier this year, Pixar’s emotional sequel “Inside Out 2” shocked the industry by becoming the highest-grossing animated film in Hollywood history. That reign lasted only months.

“Zootopia 2” quietly gained ground through sustained international legs rather than explosive short-term hype. Its family-friendly repeat appeal and strong overseas attendance allowed it to edge past Inside Out 2’s $1.69 billion milestone — proving that global consistency now matters more than domestic dominance.

This friendly rivalry between Disney Animation and Pixar has also reignited conversations about animation’s box office resurgence.

Story, Stars and the Return of Fan Favorites

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the sequel reunites audiences with fan-favorite duo Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and sly fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they investigate a mysterious new reptilian resident voiced by Ke Huy Quan.

The film blends sharp humor, social commentary, slick animation upgrades, and action-driven storytelling — making it appealing to both children and adult audiences. Critics praised its pacing, world-building expansion, and character development, while audiences embraced its nostalgia-meets-freshness formula.

Merchandise sales, streaming anticipation, and theme park integrations have further amplified the brand’s commercial footprint.

Zootopia 3 Already Inevitable?

While Disney has yet to officially announce “Zootopia 3,” industry insiders believe the sequel is practically guaranteed. With a $1.7 billion haul and massive international demand, shelving the franchise would be financially unthinkable.

The studio is reportedly monitoring audience feedback, franchise fatigue concerns, and creative development timelines before making a formal announcement — but fans are already campaigning heavily online for the next installment.

Animation’s New Power Shift in Global Cinema

“Zootopia 2” joining the global all-time Top 10 list places animation in rarefied blockbuster territory historically dominated by superheroes and sci-fi franchises.

With family-driven global turnout, animation is proving itself to be one of the safest theatrical bets in modern cinema — resilient across markets, languages, and age groups.

The film’s record-breaking success may also encourage studios to invest more aggressively in high-quality animated sequels and original IPs.

Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/roger-allers-co-director-of-disneys-the-lion-king-dies-at-76-hollywood-mourns-the-visionary-who-defined-a-generation/

Final Word

From breaking opening records to conquering China, overtaking Inside Out 2, and climbing into the global Top 10 of all time, “Zootopia 2” has rewritten the animation box office rulebook.

Whether Disney officially announces “Zootopia 3” tomorrow or next year, one thing is certain — the animal metropolis isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Hollywood may have superheroes, but right now, the real kings of the box office wear fur.

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