There’s no question that Zootopia 2 is a financial powerhouse. The sequel stormed the box office over Thanksgiving, pulling in $59.2 million domestically since its Tuesday night debut. That includes $19.7 million on Thanksgiving Day and another $38.5 million on Black Friday. Projections suggest the film will bring in a total between $140 million and $156 million over the full five-day holiday period.
Even more impressive? Internationally, it’s rewriting the record books. In China—one of the toughest markets for Hollywood post-pandemic—Zootopia 2 shattered expectations, becoming the first Hollywood film to make over $100 million in a single day there. It even outperformed Avengers: Endgame. The worldwide total has already hit $133.2 million, with more earnings expected in the coming days.
On the surface, it looks like Disney’s back on top. But beneath the success is a more troubling reality—one that’s quickly becoming hard to ignore.
Disney’s Sequel Dependence Grows
For years, fans have hoped Disney would rediscover its original storytelling magic. But the results haven’t been pretty. Wish, the studio’s heavily-promoted 100th anniversary celebration film, fizzled at the box office. Lightyear, meant to tap into Toy Story nostalgia, couldn’t find its footing. And Strange World flopped outright.
These failures haven’t just been commercial—they’ve been cultural. Disney’s original offerings haven’t resonated. Whether it’s politically heavy-handed messaging, weak narratives, or just a lack of connection, audiences haven’t been buying what Disney’s been selling.
In contrast, Zootopia 2, Moana 2, and upcoming projects like Toy Story 5 and Frozen 3 prove that sequels are still reliable performers. Audiences want familiar characters. And that’s the problem.
What Happens Between the Sequels?
Sequels are easy wins. They bring in big money and fanfare. But they also take years to make. So what does Disney do in the meantime?
That’s the real crisis. If Disney can’t get audiences excited about fresh stories, then the studio becomes reliant on nostalgia—and that nostalgia has a shelf life. Once the buzz around the next sequel fades, what’s left?
This strategy leaves little room for risk-taking or creative growth. And for a company that once prided itself on innovation, that’s a dangerous place to be.
Looking Ahead
Disney needs to figure out how to balance crowd-pleasing sequels with truly new, compelling stories. It’s not about giving up on franchises—it’s about building new ones.
Yes, Zootopia 2 was a triumph. But the bigger picture reveals a company that’s increasingly unsure how to win without leaning on its past.
And if that doesn’t change, even the biggest box office success won’t be enough to stop Disney’s creative decline.
