Box Office: ‘Zootopia 2’ Uncaged with Near-Record Black Friday Gross of $38.5M as It Heads Toward $158M Opening

After a tough fall for theater owners, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 and Universal’s Wicked: For Good are collectively cooking up just the feast they needed at the Thanksgiving box office.

Zootopia 2 topped Black Friday with $38.5 million, the second-highest gross ever for the day, behind last year’s Moana 2 ($54. 5 million). That’s after ruling Thanksgiving Day with a near-record $19.7 million, the second best showing of all time, also after Moana 2 ($27.8 million). It posted an opening day of gross $39.5 million on Wednesday, which is all putting the sequel on track to open to a better-than-expected five-day holiday opening of topping $158 million, which would likewise be the second-best showing after Moana 2. Finally, there is something for families to see at the multiplex after a long dry spell for such fare.

After three days, the sequel has grossed $233.0 million globally, including $97.7 million domestically and $135.3 million internationally, including a head-turning $94 million two-day gross in China, where it is serving up the best-ever launch for an animated title and the best for any Hollywood film since all the way back in May 2021.

Zootopia 2 has won over critics and audiences alike, between glowing reviews and stellar exits, including an A CinemaScore and a 95 percent audience ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.

It scored the top opening day of the year to date for an animated title in key markets, including in France, Germany and Italy. That’s a notable feat for midweek, considering it isn’t a holiday overseas. It’s also doing outstanding business in South Korea.

“Donald Trump may be attempting to resurrect the long defunct Rush Hour franchise, but there’s no need. The best buddy cop movie in eons has arrived in the form of Zootopia 2. This sequel to 2016’s smash hit Oscar-winning animated film proves more than worth the lengthy wait, knocking it out of the park with its dazzling visuals, sophisticated humor and doses of genuine emotion,” writes THR‘s Frank Scheck in his review.

The film reunites optimistic young rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and sly red fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who are newly partnered on the police force overseen by the intimidating cape buffalo Chief Bogo (Idris Elba). Despite their previous success, things aren’t going smoothly for the pair, who are instructed to track down an interloping snake (Ke Huy Quan voices the new character).

Elsewhere, Wicked: For Good crossed the $200 million mark in North America on Thanksgiving Day after opening Nov. 21. Director Jon M. Chu’s second installment in the ambitious adaptation of the hit Broadway musical and book earned another $12.6 million on Thursday and $26.05 million Friday. It is now eyeing a five-day gross of $93.5 million, likewise among the top holiday earners of all time.

The movie about the Witches of Oz — played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande — smashed numerous records in its global box office debut last weekend, including passing up the first Wicked to rank as the top opening of all time for a Broadway musical adaptation and one of the best showings among any musical.

Wicked: For Good is on course to finish Sunday with a domestic total of $270.94 million, slightly ahead of Wicked.

Estimates are likely to change as the weekend unfolds.

Nov. 29, 8: a.m.: Updated with Friday numbers.

This story was originally published November 27 at 11:49 am