Disney's 'Zootopia 2' dominates Thanksgiving weekend at North American box office

Disneys heartwarming animated sequel "Zootopia 2" led the North American box office over the Thanksgiving holiday, earning an estimated $156 million across the five-day period, according to industry reports on Sunday.

The follow-up to the 2016 Oscar-winning hit brings back the buddy cop adventures of talking animals confronting societal stereotypes. Returning cast members include Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, and Idris Elba.

David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research commented, "This is an exceptional debut for an animated sequel." He noted that Disney and Pixar often see sequels outperforming the original films, with second installments averaging 71% higher opening earnings. Gross also highlighted the films strong reception in China.

Worldwide, "Zootopia 2" amassed a staggering $556 million, marking the largest global launch ever for an animated feature, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Other Top Box Office Releases

In second place with $93 million was "Wicked: For Good", Universals continuation of the musical saga about Ozs most famous witchesElphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). The film is adapted from the long-running Broadway musical, itself based on Gregory Maguires 1995 novel.

Lionsgates "Now You See Me: Now You Dont" claimed third place in the US and Canadian box office, earning $10 million. The third installment of the heist franchise reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Woody Harrelson as illusionists taking down dangerous criminals.

The sci-fi horror entry "Predator: Badlands" took fourth place with $6.6 million, while Paramounts "The Running Man", a new adaptation of Stephen Kings dystopian novel featuring Glen Powell, rounded out the top five with $5.5 million.

Analysis: "Zootopia 2" Dominates the Box Office Over Thanksgiving

The release of Disney’s "Zootopia 2" has exceeded all expectations, marking a monumental achievement in animated filmmaking. The film has earned an impressive $156 million during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend in North America. This success is even more remarkable considering the long gap since the original "Zootopia" film, which was released in 2016. As a sequel, it has not only continued the popular buddy cop narrative featuring animal characters but has also tapped into timely societal issues, resonating deeply with audiences.

David A. Gross from Franchise Entertainment Research highlighted the outstanding performance of the sequel, noting that animated sequels often outperform their predecessors. This trend has held true for Disney and Pixar, with second installments typically seeing an average of 71% higher opening earnings compared to the first film in a series. Additionally, "Zootopia 2" has been particularly well-received internationally, especially in China, contributing to its global success.

Globally, "Zootopia 2" has grossed $556 million, becoming the highest-grossing animated film launch ever. This achievement signals a robust recovery and sustained interest in animated features, particularly sequels, as the industry continues to bounce back post-pandemic. The film’s success is a strong indication that audiences still crave high-quality, heartwarming content with meaningful messages wrapped in entertainment.

In comparison, other major releases such as "Wicked: For Good" and "Now You See Me: Now You Don’t" have performed well but not on the same scale. "Wicked" earned $93 million, while "Now You See Me 3" earned $10 million, demonstrating the continued appeal of franchise films but underscoring the uniqueness of "Zootopia 2" in terms of sheer box office dominance.

The overwhelming success of "Zootopia 2" is not just a victory for Disney but also a reminder of the evolving landscape of the animated film industry. It demonstrates the power of sequels, international markets, and socially relevant storytelling in capturing a wide audience.

Sources:

• Disney's 'Zootopia 2' rules Thanksgiving at N. American box office