Sorry, Disney. Zootopia 2 Isn't the Biggest Animated Movie of All Time.
Disney’s Zootopia 2 has claimed the title of Hollywood’s highest-grossing animated film with a worldwide haul of $1.7 billion, but it still falls short of the global record held by China’s Ne Zha 2.
Here’s the TL;DR...
Zootopia 2 earned $1.7 billion globally, surpassing Inside Out 2 as the top U.S.-produced animated film.
Domestically, it grossed over $400 million, placing it among the upper ranks of animated earners in the U.S. market.
Globally, China’s Ne Zha 2 leads with $2.21 billion, highlighting shifts in international box office power.
The sequel follows bunny cop Judy Hopps and fox partner Nick Wilde as they chase a mysterious reptile in Zootopia.
This success marks a turnaround for Disney after a series of 2025 flops like Snow White and Tron: Ares.
Zootopia 2 opened strong in November 2025, pulling in massive crowds right from Thanksgiving weekend. It crossed the $1 billion mark in just 17 days, faster than any other Disney animated release.
That pace reflects solid family appeal, especially during the holidays.
How Did Zootopia 2 Stack Up Against Expectations in the U.S. Market?
Domestic earnings for Zootopia 2 topped $400 million by mid-January 2026, with the film still in theaters. That’s a respectable figure, though it doesn’t crack the all-time top spots dominated by recent Pixar hits.
For context, here are the top 10 highest-grossing animated films in the U.S. domestic market as of January 2026 (unadjusted for inflation):
Inside Out 2 (2024) – $652.9 million
Incredibles 2 (2018) – $608.6 million
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) – $574.9 million
The Lion King (2019) – $543.6 million
Finding Dory (2016) – $486.3 million
Frozen II (2019) – $477.4 million
Shrek 2 (2004) – $441.2 million
Toy Story 4 (2019) – $434.0 million
Toy Story 3 (2010) – $415.0 million
Frozen (2013) – $400.7 million | $400.7 million |
Zootopia 2 slots in just below Frozen at around $423 million projected, showing steady legs but not quite the domestic dominance of Pixar’s emotion-driven tales.
U.S. audiences responded well to the buddy-cop dynamic, but competition from holiday releases like Wicked: For Good kept it from soaring higher.
What Pushed Zootopia 2 to Global Dominance for Hollywood Animation?
On the worldwide stage, Zootopia 2’s $1.7 billion total cements it as the biggest U.S.-produced animated film, edging out Inside Out 2 by a slim margin.
Overseas markets drove much of that success, with China alone contributing $618.9 million. That’s no small feat in a region where local productions often rule.
Here are the top 10 highest-grossing animated films globally as of January 2026:
Ne Zha 2 (2025) – $2.21 billion
Zootopia 2 (2025) – $1.70 billion
Inside Out 2 (2024) – $1.69 billion
Frozen II (2019) – $1.45 billion
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) – $1.36 billion
Frozen (2013) – $1.31 billion
Incredibles 2 (2018) – $1.24 billion
Minions (2015) – $1.15 billion
Toy Story 4 (2019) – $1.07 billion
Toy Story 3 (2010) – $1.06 billion | $1.06 billion |
While Zootopia 2 performed strongly across Europe and Asia, Ne Zha 2’s dominance underscores China’s growing influence, with its home market fueling over half its total.
How Do Different Markets Influence Animated Film Success?
Markets like China can make or break global totals for animated features. Zootopia 2 earned nearly one-third of its global haul from China alone.
By contrast, U.S. earnings were solid but not overwhelming. Europe added another key chunk, where family-friendly humor translated well across languages.
Films like Ne Zha 2 thrive on local cultural ties, while Hollywood releases rely on broad global appeal to offset softer domestic runs.
What Is Zootopia 2 Actually About?
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 picks up shortly after the 2016 original.
Bunny officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and fox hustler-turned-cop Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) investigate a mysterious reptile named Gary De’Snake, who disrupts the mammal-only city.
They go undercover in new districts like the Marsh Market, confronting gentrification schemes and propaganda twists. Returning voices include Idris Elba as Chief Bogo and Shakira as Gazelle, with newcomers Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster joining the cast.
Released November 26, 2025, the sequel earned strong reviews for its sharp wit and mature themes like urban inequality.
How Did Disney’s Recent Flops Set the Stage for Zootopia 2’s Triumph?
Disney endured a rough 2025 ahead of Zootopia 2’s release.
Snow White bombed with $205.7 million against a $270 million budget.
Tron: Ares and Thunderbolts reportedly lost over $100 million each.
Ella McCay debuted to just $2.1 million, among Disney’s worst openings ever.
Altogether, Disney logged 11 theatrical flops in 2025, driven by remake fatigue and superhero burnout.
Zootopia 2, alongside Lilo & Stitch and Avatar: Fire and Ash, reversed the narrative.
Disney co-chairman Alan Bergman credited fans worldwide for the milestone, calling the sequel “an extraordinary achievement.”
Zootopia 2’s run highlights animation’s resilience in a fragmented global market, where international appeal now outweighs domestic dominance.
For Disney, the lesson is clear: after a flop-filled year, one smart sequel can still reset both perception and profits.
Hat Tips
Euronews Culture, January 19, 2026
Wikipedia, List of highest-grossing animated films, updated January 20, 2026
The Wrap, January 18, 2026
The Direct, December 22, 2025
Variety, December 14, 2025
IMDb, updated January 20, 2026
Rotten Tomatoes, updated January 20, 2026
The Numbers, updated January 20, 2026
Yahoo Entertainment, September 26, 2025
Article Compiled and Edited by Ivy Adams.