Disney’s “Zootopia 2” has tightened its grip on the Chinese box office, topping the weekend again with an estimated RMB818.5 million ($115.3 million) and lifting its mainland total to RMB3.05 billion ($429 million), according to Chinese ticketing data. The animated sequel sits well ahead of new release “Gezhi Town,” a patriotic war drama that opened in second place.
The performance marks the rare Hollywood release that can still ignite demand in a market dominated by local hits. After a first six-day haul of 1.95 billion yuan ($275.6 million), “Zootopia 2” set records for foreign animation and now ranks among the highest-grossing imported releases in Chinese history, chasing benchmarks set by “Avengers: Endgame.”
The film’s dominance arrives as regulators keep a tight rein on U.S. imports and local franchises such as “Ne Zha 2” define the year’s box office. Marketing around the property has been unusually aggressive: Disney chief executive Bob Iger attended a Shanghai premiere, Shanghai Disneyland leans on a dedicated Zootopia land opened in 2023, and a branded China Eastern Airlines jet carries the characters across airports and social feeds. Campaigns have also leaned into local audience habits, from themed park events to pet-friendly screenings that allow moviegoers to bring animals into the auditorium, while new character Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan and tied to the Year of the Snake, was designed with Chinese viewers firmly in mind.
Consultant Ashley Dudarenok has described the sequel as “Disney’s most important movie in China this year,” arguing that its tone of personal resilience and social harmony aligns neatly with official themes. Analyst Chris Fenton cautions that studios should treat the film as an exception, saying Beijing still does not view Hollywood as a fix for weak consumer spending and continues to expect imported stories to fit its political and cultural red lines.
“Gezhi Town” has still carved out a strong opening. Box office trackers estimate a $23.8 million debut for the Daylight Entertainment release, directed by Kong Sheng from a script by Lan Xiaolong. Set in Yichang during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the film follows ordinary residents and soldiers defending their homes, with Xiao Zhan among the leads.
Together, the record-breaking animated sequel and the newly launched war drama are powering a brisk year-end season. China’s Nov. 28–Dec. 31 slate has already cleared 3 billion yuan in ticket sales, while total 2025 box office has passed 49 billion yuan and is on course to reach 50 billion, keeping the country ahead of North America as the busiest theatrical market.
