“Zootopia 2” dominated Thanksgiving weekend with an estimated US $556 million (approximately A$835 million) worldwide opening, putting it on track to surpass US $1 billion and become the most successful American movie released in 2025.

In the US and Canada, the well-reviewed sequel to the 2016 hit grossed US$156 million (approximately A$234 million) from Tuesday night debut through Sunday, marking the second-biggest Thanksgiving gross ever for a movie behind only Disney’s previous blockbuster animated sequel, 2024’s “Moana 2.”

Comparisons don’t account for inflation.

The PG-rated cartoon about police in a city full of animals sold an estimated US $272 million (approximately A$408 million) worth of tickets in China, making it the second-biggest foreign movie to ever open there behind only “Avengers: Endgame,” according to Disney.

“Zootopia 2” already has the highest total gross in China for a Hollywood film since “Endgame” in 2019, which made US$632.1 million (approximately A$949 million) there.

China, a vital revenue source for Hollywood studios in the 2010s, has become far less interested in American movies this decade due to improving local film quality and political tensions between the two nations.

The first “Zootopia” was also a hit in China, grossing US $236.1 million (approximately A$354 million).

A “Zootopia”-themed land opened at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023, demonstrating the franchise’s lasting appeal in the country and stoking interest for the sequel, which held its Chinese premiere at the theme park.

Until this weekend, the most successful Hollywood movie this year in China was “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which grossed a total of US $79 million (approximately A$119 million) there.

The first “Zootopia” grossed just over US $1 billion globally by the end of its run.

The sequel is likely to surpass that figure, making it hugely profitable for Disney.

Animated sequels have become a critical business for Disney, which had hits last year in both “Moana 2” and “Inside Out 2.”

Disney has had tougher times recently with original animated movies, including June’s Pixar-produced bomb “Elio.”

The number two movie at the box office this weekend was another sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” which grossed US $93 million (approximately A$140 million) domestically from Wednesday through Sunday.

The concluding half of Universal’s Broadway musical adaptation had a weaker second weekend following a bigger debut, suggesting interest was more front-loaded.

“Wicked: For Good” grossed a total of US $393.3 million (approximately A$590 million) globally through Sunday.