Box-office comeback: 'Zootopia 2' sets animated opening record as 'Wicked' Part 2 holds strong

After a stretch of disappointing theatrical results, Hollywood saw a pronounced rebound this weekend as Disney’s Zootopia 2 opened to record-breaking demand for an animated release and Universal’s Wicked Part 2 continued its robust commercial run despite lackluster critical response. The twin successes signal renewed appetite among moviegoers for established franchises and tentpole spectacles that deliver broad family and fan appeal.

Zootopia 2’s opening underscores the enduring power of family-oriented animation to attract large audiences, particularly when sequels tap into familiar characters and worldbuilding. The film’s strong start suggests studios can still rely on franchise-building and theatrical marketing to generate big weekend returns, even as streaming platforms and changing viewing habits reshape the industry.

Meanwhile, Wicked Part 2 is maintaining momentum at the box office despite mixed to poor reviews from critics. Its sustained draw highlights a recurring dynamic in modern releases: audience enthusiasm, fandom loyalty and eventized moviegoing can outweigh critical reception. For studios and distributors, the pattern reinforces the value of pre-existing intellectual property and multi-part release strategies that keep viewers engaged across installments.

Industry observers say this weekend’s outcomes could influence release calendars and marketing priorities for the rest of the year. A stronger theatrical environment can encourage studios to preserve exclusive theatrical windows, invest in larger promotional campaigns for franchise entries, and recalibrate the balance between theatrical and streaming rollouts. International markets—where family films and spectacle-driven titles frequently perform well—are also likely contributing meaningfully to both titles’ runs.

While it’s too early to declare a full recovery for theatrical revenue, the performance of these two high-profile releases offers a constructive sign for cinema operators and studios alike. If franchise entries continue to draw sizable audiences, studios may double down on sequels, tentpole scheduling and event releases that turn weekends into appointment viewing. For now, the weekend served as a reminder that, under the right conditions, movies can still deliver blockbuster results at the box office.