Walt Disney Animation Studios Celebrates Fastest $1B Animated MPA Release Ever
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 has officially leapt past a major milestone, crossing the $1 billion mark at the global box office only 17 days after its release. With an impressive $986.1 million already earned to date — $232.7 million domestic and $753.4 million international — the film is set to surpass the billion-dollar threshold by the end of today.
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The achievement makes Zootopia 2 the second Motion Picture Association (MPA) release of 2025 to reach this benchmark. It follows Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch. It’s now the fastest MPA-animated and fastest PG-rated film to reach $1 billion worldwide.
A Historic Moment for Disney Animation
The milestone represents a major moment for Walt Disney Animation Studios. It marks the studio’s first back-to-back billion-dollar releases following last year’s Moana 2. With this accomplishment, Disney Animation now holds five billion-dollar global hits since 2013:
- Frozen
- Frozen 2
- Moana 2
- Zootopia
- Zootopia 2
“Everyone at Disney Animation put their heart, soul and passion into this film to tell a story full of joy, imagination, and incredible thoughtfulness,” said Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. “This milestone means the world to us because more than anything, it means audiences are coming to theaters for a shared experience… and that is a Zootopia dream come true.”
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Record-Breaking Debut and Audience Reception
Zootopia 2 arrived in theaters on November 26 with a stunning $559.5 million global debut in just five days, making it:
- The highest global animated opening of all time
- The biggest global debut of 2025
- The largest opening weekend for any animated film in Disney history
The film has also been embraced by audiences, earning a 96% Certified Hot audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It also received a coveted A CinemaScore.
Internationally, the film has become the No. 1 MPA release of the year, solidifying its global appeal.
Unprecedented Success in China
China has played a crucial role in the film’s explosive performance. Zootopia 2 broke multiple records in the market, including:
- Highest opening for a non-local animated film ever in China ($272 million)
- Highest-grossing non-local animated film in China’s history — achieved within only five days
- Currently the No. 2 MPA release of all time in China, trailing only Avengers: Endgame, with an estimated $447 million to date
With this performance, The Walt Disney Studios now holds three of the top five highest-grossing MPA titles in the Chinese market.
Franchise Momentum Surges on Disney+
As Zootopia 2 continues to dominate in theaters, its success has sparked renewed interest in the franchise on Disney+. Viewership of the original Zootopia and the spin-off series Zootopia+ has soared, with both titles collectively surpassing 725 million viewing hours worldwide on the platform.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
With breathtaking box office results, historic international achievements, and renewed fan enthusiasm worldwide, Zootopia 2 is proving to be one of Disney Animation’s most successful films ever — both artistically and commercially.
If this momentum continues, the film is positioned to become one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, reinforcing the enduring power and global appeal of the Zootopia universe.
