Disney Executive Jared Bush Knows Why 'Zootopia 2' Is a Massive Success in China

As Hollywood emerged from the COVID-19 era, one major shift has been the decline of Chinese enthusiasm for American blockbusters. Once a driving force for billion-dollar global hits, Chinese audiences increasingly favored local films such as Hi, Mom, Full River Red, and the record-breaking animated feature Ne Zha 2.

However, Disneys Zootopia 2 reversed this trend, earning a staggering $271 million in its first five days in China. This launch surpassed the $245 million Chinese total of Avatar: The Way of Water, making it the highest-grossing American film in China since the pandemic. By Monday, the film had exceeded 50 million admissions, collecting $14.4 million in daily revenue.

With such a start, the sequel to the 2016 Oscar-winning original is on track to rival Avengers: Endgames $632 million Chinese total and potentially secure a spot among the top ten highest-grossing films ever in the country. Analysts and industry insiders are now asking how Zootopia 2 achieved such success and whether this momentum can be repeated.

The films $559 million extended global launch suggests that it could even surpass the $1.45 billion total of Frozen II, becoming Disney Animations highest-grossing film worldwide before inflation. Experts attribute this to the enduring appeal of the story known in Mandarin as Crazy Animal City and Disneys decade-long effort to cultivate interest in China through merchandise, the Zootopia+ Disney+ series, and a popular Shanghai Disneyland area dedicated to the franchise.

Jared Bush, Disney Animations chief creative officer and co-director/co-writer of both Zootopia films, emphasized the importance of long-term engagement. Speaking after the premiere in Shanghai and Beijing, he noted that fans connected deeply with Nick and Judys journey. We could see that people really see themselves in these characters and their emotional arcs, Bush said.

The original Zootopia followed Judy, a young rabbit, as she left her small town to join the city police force, a story that resonated with Chinese audiences during a period of rapid urbanization and economic growth. Though its $236 million gross in 2016 didnt initially seem extraordinary, the films popularity grew over the years through home viewing and merchandise sales, leading to the opening of a Zootopia-themed section at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023.

Working closely with Disney Imagineering, Bush helped translate elements of the theme park into the film, incorporating visual gags such as a sheep barbershop that became part of a chase sequence in Zootopia 2. This attention to detail reinforced the connection between the franchise and Chinese audiences.

Localization also played a crucial role. Mandarin voice actors Chang Chen and Ji Guanlin returned for the sequel, adapting the script to resonate culturally while maintaining the storys humor and charm. Bush highlighted the collaborative effort required to adjust jokes and dialogue for different regions, ensuring the characters appeal remained universal.

Hollywood has struggled to replicate this kind of success in China. Many post-pandemic American films have failed to attract large audiences, and even other animated releases like The Bad Guys and Kung Fu Panda 4 performed modestly, grossing around $50 million each in China.

The success of Zootopia 2 illustrates how a decade of careful franchise development, cultural sensitivity, and sustained engagement can turn an original story into a global phenomenon. For Bush, the most rewarding aspect has been witnessing Chinese audiences connect with the evolving partnership between Judy and Nick, a narrative rooted in universal themes of growth, empathy, and human connection.

Author: Sophia Brooks