Disney’s “Zootopia 2” has achieved unprecedented success in China, becoming the highest-grossing foreign animated film in the country despite the generally lukewarm interest in overseas movies. According to box office tracker Maoyan, the film earned 1.95 billion yuan ($275.6 million) in its first six days of release, signaling a strong resonance with Chinese audiences.
Experts note that the film’s themes of personal resilience and societal harmony have contributed to its popularity. Ashley Dudarenok, founder of the China digital consultancy Chozan, called it Disney’s most important release in China this year, highlighting how its story connects with local viewers. Over its opening weekend, “Zootopia 2” accounted for around 95% of all movie ticket sales, underscoring its dominant presence at the box office.
The film’s success is especially notable given the evolving landscape for foreign films in China over the past nine years. The first “Zootopia,” released in 2016, also became China’s most popular foreign animated film, setting the stage for its sequel. However, Hollywood films have faced challenges, including limits on U.S. releases amid trade tensions and the increasing dominance of domestic productions.
Chinese animated films are now breaking global records as well. Earlier this year, the local hit “Ne Zha 2” surpassed Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, collecting nearly $2 billion at the Chinese box office. The success of “Zootopia 2” demonstrates that well-crafted foreign animations can still thrive in China, particularly when they appeal to local cultural values and storytelling preferences.
