“Crazy Animal Town”: How ‘Zootopia 2’ Conquered the Chinese Box Office
Disney’s animated sequel, “Zootopia 2,” has become a cultural phenomenon in China, shattering box office records and defying a trend of increasing domestic film dominance. Since its release on November 26, 2025, the film has captivated Chinese audiences, earning over $444 million and becoming the highest-grossing imported animated film in the country’s history.
The film’s success is particularly striking given the challenges Hollywood faces in the Chinese market, where government censorship and a preference for patriotic blockbusters have increasingly limited foreign film options. As one analyst noted, “Hollywood has not done well recently” in China, with many films barred by regulators or heavily censored. However, “Zootopia 2” has bucked this trend, resonating deeply with Chinese moviegoers.
A Record-Breaking Run
The “Zootopia 2” craze has translated into impressive numbers. On a single day, the film grossed a staggering $104 million – a new record for a foreign film in China, according to data from the Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan cited by state-run media. Some theaters are screening the film as many as 27 times a day to meet demand.
“All my friends are going to see it,” shared a teenager, Li Jialing, as he left a Beijing theater with his family. “After watching it, I was extremely excited.” This enthusiasm is echoed across the country, with moviegoers even bringing their pets to special showings, sharing photos and videos on social media of furry friends enjoying the film’s theme song, “Zoo” by Shakira.
The Power of Nostalgia and Disney’s Strategy
The popularity of “Zootopia 2” is rooted in the success of the original “Zootopia,” released in 2016. Many Chinese viewers who saw the first film as children are now revisiting the world with their own children. “The last time I was so excited, so happy,” recalled Mr. Li, who first saw the original film nearly a decade ago. “This one is a significant improvement in quality.”
Disney has strategically capitalized on this nostalgia. In late 2023, the company opened the world’s only “Zootopia land” at the Shanghai Disney Resort, further immersing fans in the film’s universe. “Everyone watched the first movie, then went to Disneyland to play at [Zootopia], and is now watching the sequel,” explained Zhang Rui, a telecommunications company worker who attended a screening with her six-year-old daughter.
Beyond the theme park, Disney has employed a comprehensive marketing strategy in China, including special preview films and a “Zootopia”-themed aircraft – the Disney-Zootopia Express – as part of the China Eastern Airlines fleet. Theaters are also selling a wide range of “Zootopia” merchandise, from keychains and phone cases to dolls and snacks.
A Shift in Hollywood’s Approach?
The success of “Zootopia 2” comes as some Hollywood studios are reassessing their reliance on the Chinese market. Films like “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) achieved massive global success – $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively – by rejecting Chinese censorship.
As a professor of political science at the University of Southern California and an expert in Chinese film, Stanley Rosen, explained, “Once it was clear these films were not going to be accepted for China, they had a completely different marketing strategy… and did extremely well.” This has led some in the industry to believe that Hollywood can thrive without prioritizing the Chinese market.
Despite this shift, Beijing remains aware of its position as the world’s second-largest film market, currently accounting for approximately 45% of “Zootopia 2”’s worldwide box office sales.
Beyond Entertainment: Themes That Resonate
The film’s appeal extends beyond entertainment value. Viewers appreciate the deeper themes explored in “Zootopia 2,” such as overcoming social ostracism and navigating personality conflicts. While these nuances may be lost on younger children, as Ms. Zhang noted, “Children might not grasp… the layers of meaning,” the film’s depth contributes to its broad audience appeal.
“The protagonists are very brave, intelligent, and witty,” said Ms. Liu, a university-educated Chinese teacher. “Their personal charm is what makes [the film] so appealing and charismatic. It’s the spirit they embody.”
The success of “Zootopia 2” demonstrates that, despite the challenges, Hollywood can still find success in China by delivering high-quality, engaging content that resonates with local audiences.
