Nine years after the first film became a global phenomenon, Zootopia 2 is not just captivating audiences worldwide but also unleashing a staggering economic wave, solidifying Disney’s IP dominance and fueling a collaborative boom with Chinese brands, latest industry data shows.
Box office fever: Advance sales break records, global revenue forecast soars
The animated sequel has shattered records even before its official release in major markets. In China alone, advance ticket sales surpassed 200 million yuan (approximately 27.8 million U.S. dollars), eclipsing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba to set a new benchmark for imported animated films in the country’s box office history. Industry forecaster BoxOffice Theory projects the film’s global box office could hit 2 billion U.S. dollars, doubling the revenue expectations of its predecessor and positioning it as one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time.
Beyond ticket sales, the “Zootopia effect” is rippling through the consumer goods sector, particularly in China where Disney has orchestrated a localized marketing blitz. Nearly 50 Chinese brands have jumped on the IP bandwagon, spanning trendy toys, cosmetics, food and beverage, and even gold jewelry . Miniso, a leading lifestyle retailer, has launched over 100 co-branded products—from blind boxes to daily necessities—and set up themed pop-up stores nationwide, building on a partnership that required years of negotiation to secure . Pop Mart, a prominent trendy toy maker, has rolled out a series of figurines featuring Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, with its flagship stores reporting sold-out limited editions within hours of release.
Localized collaboration boom: Chinese brands ride the zootopia wave
The commercial fervor reflects Disney’s strategic focus on the Chinese market. Robert Iger, Disney’s CEO, personally attended promotional events at Shanghai Disneyland, where a Zootopia-themed land has been upgraded to feature film-inspired attractions like the “Wetland Market”. The company has also collaborated with Chinese celebrities for dubbing, invited Taiwanese band Mayday to create the theme song, and leveraged KOLs on Xiaohongshu and Douyin to amplify its reach. These efforts have paid off: Disney’s consumer products division in Greater China reported a threefold increase in Zootopia-related licensing revenue since December 2023, with over 2,000 authorized products expected to hit the market by the end of 2025.
Notably, the film’s narrative, which delves into themes of economic inequality and corporate monopoly through the villainous lynx family’s control of Zootopia’s critical climate wall infrastructure , has sparked discussions that resonate with real-world economic dynamics.”The story’s exploration of power imbalances between capital and the public adds depth that transcends age groups, making the IP more enduring in terms of commercial value,” noted Li Wei, an analyst at China Film Association.
Beyond marketing: Narrative depth and long-term commercial value
For Chinese brands, partnering with Zootopia is more than a marketing tactic – it’s a gateway to global expansion. “Disney’s IP serves as a universal language that helps our products gain recognition overseas,” said Ye Guofu, founder of Miniso, which has used Disney collaborations to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia and Europe. Smaller players have also reaped rewards: Rabbit Mama, a maternal and child care brand, reported combined sales of over 10 million yuan from Zootopia co-branded oral care products on Taobao and Douyin.
As the film continues its theatrical run, industry experts anticipate the economic ripple effect will persist. “Zootopia 2 demonstrates that a well-crafted IP, paired with localized strategies, can create a win-win ecosystem for studios, brands, and consumers,” said Zhang Hong, a cultural economy researcher. “Disney’s success here sets a new standard for global IP commercialization in the Chinese market.”