Key Facts
- ✓ Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing animated Hollywood film of all time with $1.703 billion in worldwide box office revenue.
- ✓ The Disney sequel has overtaken Inside Out 2's $1.7 billion haul from 2024 to claim the ninth position among all-time global releases.
- ✓ 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple opened to just $31.2 million globally, with only $13 million from domestic theaters.
- ✓ The Housemaid has reached $247.3 million worldwide on its fifth weekend, demonstrating remarkable staying power.
- ✓ A24's Marty Supreme has become the studio's highest-grossing North American release with $80 million, surpassing Everything Everywhere All at Once.
- ✓ Avatar: Fire and Ash has earned $1.319 billion worldwide after five weekends, though it appears unlikely to match its predecessors' heights.
Quick Summary
Zootopia 2 has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the highest-grossing animated Hollywood film of all time with a staggering $1.703 billion in worldwide box office revenue. The Disney sequel has surpassed the previous record holder, Inside Out 2, which earned $1.7 billion in 2024.
Meanwhile, the entertainment industry presents a contrasting picture as horror sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple struggles during its opening weekend, earning just $31.2 million globally. This disparity highlights the current market dynamics where family-friendly animation thrives while certain genre sequels face challenges.
Zootopia 2's Historic Achievement
The Disney animated sequel has cemented its place in cinema history by claiming the ninth position among all-time global releases. This remarkable achievement places it ahead of major blockbusters including 2019's The Lion King ($1.663 billion) and 2015's Jurassic World ($1.672 billion).
The film's performance demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Zootopia franchise and the strength of Disney's animated properties. With $390 million earned domestically and $1.313 billion internationally, the movie has resonated with audiences worldwide.
The box office breakdown reveals:
- Worldwide total: $1.703 billion
- Domestic earnings: $390 million
- International revenue: $1.313 billion
- Global ranking: Ninth highest-grossing film ever
The Avatar Franchise Context
The success of Zootopia 2 comes as Disney's other major franchise, Avatar, continues its box office journey. Avatar: Fire and Ash has reached $1.319 billion worldwide after five weekends, with $363.5 million domestically and $955.3 million internationally.
Despite the Avatar franchise's historical success—2009's Avatar remains the highest-grossing film ever at $2.9 billion, and 2022's The Way of Water earned $2.3 billion—Fire and Ash appears unlikely to match its predecessors' heights. The film's performance has prompted speculation about future installments.
Writer and director James Cameron has not yet confirmed whether Avatar 4 and 5 will proceed, with box office analysts questioning whether Fire and Ash's performance will convince Disney to greenlight additional entries. The special effects-heavy nature of these productions means they require massive investments, though they have historically delivered substantial returns.
Horror Sequel Faces Challenges
While animation thrives, the horror genre faces headwinds with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple struggling during its opening weekend. The film earned just $31.2 million globally, with only $13 million coming from domestic theaters.
This performance pales in comparison to its predecessor, which opened to $30 million from North American theaters alone just seven months ago. Despite receiving strong critical reception, including an 8/10 score from IGN, the sequel appears to be suffering from market saturation and releasing too soon after the original.
The film's challenges raise questions about the planned sequel trilogy. Sony had already confirmed it was moving forward with the third installment before The Bone Temple's release, with writer Alex Garland reportedly working on the untitled sequel. Director Danny Boyle has expressed interest in helming the next entry.
Other Box Office Performers
The current box office landscape shows several films maintaining strong momentum. The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, has demonstrated remarkable staying power, reaching $247.3 million worldwide on its fifth weekend. Directed by Paul Feig, the film has become a breakout hit driven by excellent word of mouth.
In the independent film space, A24's Marty Supreme has achieved significant milestones. The film earned $9,838,927 globally this weekend, bringing its worldwide total to $99.5 million. It has now become A24's highest-grossing movie in North America with $80 million, surpassing Everything Everywhere All at Once's $77 million.
These performances demonstrate that diverse genres and budget levels can still find success in the current market, provided they connect with audiences through strong storytelling and positive reception.
Looking Ahead
The current box office results paint a clear picture of market preferences and franchise health. Zootopia 2's record-breaking success validates Disney's investment in quality animation and family entertainment, while the Avatar franchise faces questions about its future despite its historical success.
Meanwhile, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple serves as a cautionary tale about sequel timing and audience fatigue. The horror genre's challenges contrast sharply with the sustained success of films like The Housemaid, which continues to perform well through positive audience reception.
As the industry moves forward, these results will likely influence decisions about franchise development, release timing, and genre investment. The clear winners are those films that can generate strong word-of-mouth and connect with broad audiences, while the struggles highlight the risks of rapid-fire sequels in saturated markets.
