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Zootopia 2 Dominates Thanksgiving Box Office with $140M Opening

Source: ‘Zootopia 2’ Previews $10M+; ‘Wicked: For Good’ $15M+ Tuesday Is 2nd Best YTD – Box Office (2025-11-26)

Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ Breaks Records with $140 Million in 5 Days; ‘Wicked: For Good’ Enchants $90M In a spectacular start to the holiday season, Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ has surged to a remarkable $140 million five-day opening, solidifying its position as a Thanksgiving box office powerhouse. The animated sequel, featuring the voices of Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin, opened with an impressive $39 million on Wednesday, including $10.2 million from previews, marking the second-best Wednesday opening for Thanksgiving after last year’s ‘Moana 2’. The film is projected to gross between $88 million and $90 million over the weekend, with a total of around $140 million by Sunday. Meanwhile, Universal’s ‘Wicked: For Good’ captivated audiences with a $90 million opening, including a strong $17 million on Wednesday across 4,115 theaters, competing for premium large-format screens, especially IMAX. This holiday box office surge is driven by several recent trends and factors. First, the Thanksgiving stretch remains one of the most lucrative periods for cinemas, with Black Friday often surpassing other days in revenue. Second, the global success of ‘Zootopia 2’ extends beyond the U.S., with record-breaking openings in China, where it achieved the biggest opening day for an animated film. Third, the film’s strong critical reception highlights Disney’s continued mastery in blending engaging storytelling with cutting-edge animation, appealing to both children and adults. Fourth, the rise of premium formats like IMAX and Dolby Cinema has enhanced the movie-going experience, drawing audiences willing to pay premium prices. Fifth, the ongoing popularity of animated franchises and musical adaptations, exemplified by ‘Wicked,’ continues to draw diverse demographics, boosting overall box office numbers. Looking ahead, industry analysts predict that the holiday season will see a sustained box office boom, with total revenues surpassing previous records. The success of ‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Wicked’ underscores the resilience of theatrical releases amid the streaming era, emphasizing the importance of high-quality content and immersive viewing experiences. Additionally, the holiday period is expected to benefit from increased international releases, especially in markets like China, India, and Europe, where animated films and musicals are highly popular. The combination of strategic marketing, star power, and technological enhancements is set to keep cinemas busy through the New Year. Furthermore, recent data indicates that the global box office is rebounding strongly after pandemic-related declines, with 2025 projected to be one of the highest-grossing years in recent history. The rise of advanced ticketing systems and personalized marketing has also contributed to higher attendance rates. Industry insiders note that the success of family-friendly films like ‘Zootopia 2’ is crucial for maintaining momentum, as they tend to perform well across all age groups and regions. Moreover, the increasing popularity of international co-productions and local language releases is expanding the global audience base, further boosting revenues. In conclusion, the Thanksgiving box office landscape in 2025 is marked by record-breaking performances and promising prospects. Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ has set a new benchmark for animated films, while ‘Wicked: For Good’ demonstrates the enduring appeal of musical adaptations. As theaters continue to innovate with immersive formats and targeted marketing, the future of cinema looks bright, with high-quality content and technological advancements driving sustained growth. Industry experts agree that this holiday season will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the post-pandemic recovery, reaffirming the cultural and economic significance of the theatrical experience worldwide.

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