Disney has scored its second billion-dollar hit of 2025, powered by the return of its beloved “Zootopia” characters. “Zootopia 2” is expected to surpass $1 billion at the global box office on Friday, making it one of only two Hollywood productions to reach that mark this year, alongside the live-action “Lilo & Stitch.” The animated sequel has earned $232.7 million domestically and $753.4 million internationally heading into the weekend, reflecting strong turnout across global markets.
Jared Bush, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, said the achievement reflects how audiences around the world are still eager to gather for a theatrical experience. Meanwhile, the only other film worldwide to reach the milestone in 2025 is China’s “Ne Zha 2,” which has amassed an astounding $2.2 billion since its January release. Analysts note that $1 billion box-office results have become increasingly rare in recent years, adding significance to the accomplishment.
A major driver of the film’s success has been China, where “Zootopia 2” has earned nearly $450 million—an especially noteworthy outcome as the country has scaled back the number of American films it allows to screen. The movie delivered the biggest non-local animated opening in Chinese box-office history and became the highest-grossing non-local animated title in the country within just five days.
The movie’s performance also signals broader shifts in the U.S. theatrical landscape. Family-friendly PG films are outperforming PG-13 and R-rated movies in 2025, with PG releases generating $2.7 billion so far across the U.S. and Canada. This trend began in 2024, marking the first time PG films outsold all other ratings domestically after decades of PG-13 dominance. Analysts attribute the surge to younger audiences, noting that children often influence family moviegoing decisions, making the success of PG films even more remarkable given their typically lower ticket prices.