Zootopia 2 Seeks to Outshine Moana 2's Thanksgiving Box Office Triumph

Disney's animated buddy cop comedy Zootopia 2 is gearing up for its Thanksgiving release this year, hoping to replicate the success of last year's Moana 2. According to Box Office Pro's long-range forecast, the highly anticipated sequel is projected to earn between $95 million and $110 million in its three-day opening weekend at the North American box office. Over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday, Zootopia 2 is tracking to bring in $140 million to $160 million.

While Zootopia 2's opening weekend projection is similar to Moana 2's, it may struggle to surpass the 2024 blockbuster's record-breaking debut. Moana 2 set a new benchmark for Thanksgiving releases last year, collecting a staggering $221 million in its five-day opening weekend and $139.78 million in its three-day debut. In comparison, the original Zootopia movie earned $75.06 million in its opening weekend back in 2016, though it went on to become a bigger box office hit than Moana, grossing $1.02 billion in its original theatrical run.

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 will see the return of voice actors Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and Shakira, who reprised their roles from the first film. The sequel will introduce new cast members, including Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, and Quinta Brunson. The film follows Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they investigate Zootopia's mysterious reptile population and the city's hidden underclass.