AceShowbiz - Zootopia 2 premiered on November 13 in Los Angeles, where Disney CEO Bob Iger, movie chief Alan Bergman, and global marketing executive Asad Ayaz gathered with hopes for the sequel to match the original's groundbreaking success. The film's international premiere at Shanghai Disneyland further underscored its global appeal, as the Zootopia-themed attraction continues to drive attendance there.

Ayaz reflected on the enthusiasm surrounding the film’s release, particularly highlighting the unprecedented scale of the marketing campaign in China. "In China, it was the biggest campaign we've ever done for a movie. We were there ourselves, and you could see the love the fans have for the property," he told The Hollywood Reporter. This extensive global rollout contributed significantly to the film’s wide-reaching success.

Sequels often struggle to replicate the magic of their predecessors, yet Zootopia 2 has defied those odds by appealing to a broad audience beyond children and families. It notably succeeded in penetrating the Chinese market, which has historically been difficult for many American films to conquer.

Worldwide, Zootopia 2 has smashed box office records, surpassing Inside Out 2’s $1.68 billion to become the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film ever, with over $1.87 billion in ticket sales (unadjusted for inflation). This achievement places the film alongside the highest earners in cinema history, including major superhero franchises, Star Wars, and Avatar, outperforming the latest Avatar: Fire and Ash installment.

On the global top-grossing films list, Zootopia 2 ranks eighth across all genres. Its success in China is particularly remarkable; it has become the top-grossing Hollywood film in that market, surpassing Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, which earned $632.1 million, by generating more than $650 million in ticket sales.

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who also wrote the screenplay, Zootopia 2 reunites the optimistic rabbit Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and the sly fox Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman). The duo returns to the police force under the watchful eye of Chief Bogo, a cape buffalo voiced by Idris Elba.

Ayaz noted the film’s exploration of themes such as overcoming corruption, breaking down cultural barriers, and celebrating underdogs. “The movie does have a sophistication to it, which is why it’s done great both with families and with general audiences all over the world,” he said. The sequel introduces new characters while keeping the beloved original cast, enriching the story and its appeal.

The film’s promotion was bolstered by the involvement of singer Shakira, who returned to star and support the campaign. Ayaz explained, “She was a great partner on the campaign, and we did a custom music video with her. So by the time we started screening the movie all over the world, people were already excited about what they were seeing. We permeated the culture in all kinds of different ways.”

Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive when Zootopia 2 opened on November 26. The Hollywood Reporter critic Frank Scheck praised it as “the best buddy cop movie in eons,” complimenting its dazzling visuals, sophisticated humor, and emotional depth. Audience approval was equally strong, with Rotten Tomatoes consumer scores hovering between 96 and 97 percent.

The film set a record by earning $559.5 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday and crossed the $1 billion mark in just 17 days—the fastest ever for an animated or PG-rated film. Following these milestones, Alan Bergman expressed gratitude to fans and the creative team, saying, “This milestone belongs first and foremost to the fans around the world whose enthusiasm made it possible. We’re incredibly proud of our filmmakers Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Yvett Merino and the entire team at Walt Disney Animation Studios for creating a film that connects so deeply with audiences everywhere.”

Zootopia 2 was dubbed in 47 languages and subtitled in 56, further demonstrating its global reach. Even excluding China, the sequel has outgrossed the worldwide total of the original Zootopia, which earned an impressive $1.025 billion in 2016. “The first Zootopia movie did extremely well and it was a big success,” said Ayaz. “But this is at an unprecedented level.”

One achievement still pending is a repeat of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which the original Zootopia won. The sequel is among contenders for the Oscar ceremony scheduled for March 16, competing with titles such as Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s KPop Demon Hunters. Zootopia 2 has already won the BAFTA for Best Animated Film and received nominations at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards.

As Zootopia 2’s theatrical run begins to wind down, Disney and Ayaz are turning their focus to upcoming projects, including the release of Pixar’s Hoppers and the streaming debut of Zootopia on Disney+ scheduled for March 11.

The film’s remarkable success marks a new benchmark for animated features, proving that an original story with universal themes can achieve blockbuster status on a level comparable to superhero franchises and sci-fi epics.