Disney is riding high again thanks to Zootopia 2. The animated sequel opened to explosive numbers during the Thanksgiving holiday, bringing in over $59 million domestically before the weekend even wrapped. With $19.7 million on Thanksgiving Day and $38.5 million on Black Friday alone, it’s easily one of the studio’s strongest openings in years.
Internationally, the numbers are just as jaw-dropping. The film pulled off the unthinkable in China, earning more than $100 million in a single day—more than any Hollywood film has ever achieved in that market, even Avengers: Endgame. Globally, Zootopia 2 has reached $133.2 million and counting.
So why is this massive win sending red flags through the entertainment industry?
When Success Reveals a Weakness
It’s all about what’s behind the success. Zootopia 2 is a sequel. So was Moana 2, which also performed incredibly well. The same goes for the titles Disney is counting on next: Toy Story 5, Frozen 3, The Incredibles 3. And over at Pixar, the shift back to sequels isn’t just happening—it’s the new plan.
Meanwhile, Disney’s most ambitious original films have failed to gain traction. Wish, Strange World, and Lightyear all underwhelmed at the box office and struggled to connect with audiences. While each had its own issues, one theme stands out: Disney isn’t having trouble getting people to the theater—it’s having trouble doing that with new material.
Creative Risk vs. Corporate Comfort
There was a time when Disney’s biggest hits weren’t follow-ups. They were game-changers. The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Frozen, Coco—none were sequels, and all became cultural juggernauts.
That creative risk-taking has slowed to a crawl. The studio has fallen into a pattern of mining existing properties for box office wins. And it’s working—until it doesn’t.
The problem is that sequels are a short-term solution. They can’t build long-term stability. And without new hits, Disney is setting itself up for dry spells between franchise releases.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Fans aren’t mad about seeing Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return. Or Elsa. Or Woody. But there’s growing concern that Disney’s next great original franchise just isn’t coming. And that’s a problem.
Zootopia 2 will make its billions. So will Frozen 3. But if the studio can’t figure out how to build something new from the ground up, the future starts looking a little too familiar.
Success like this is great in the moment. But long term? It’s a reminder of how far Disney still has to go to regain its storytelling crown.
