Disney's 'Zootopia 2' set to join $1 billion box office club

Dec 12 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Zootopia 2" is on track to surpass $1 billion at the global box office, the company said on Friday, as the sequel continues its strong run in international markets. The film, which revisits the bustling animal metropolis of "Zootopia," features returning characters Judy Hopps, a rabbit police officer voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, and her fox partner Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman. The duo embarks on a new adventure that blends humor and social themes, echoing the formula that made the original a hit. "Zootopia 2" opened strongly over the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend, giving Hollywood a boost at the start of the critical holiday season. The film's runaway success has been fueled by an extraordinary reception in China, where "Zootopia 2" dominated the box office during its opening weekend, accounting for roughly 95% of all ticket sales nationwide. The original "Zootopia" also became China's most popular foreign animated film when it was released in 2016. The performance offers welcome relief for theater operators hoping for packed cinemas through Christmas, traditionally the second-busiest moviegoing period of the year. Global box office receipts have yet to return to the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

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