Amid a historic global power struggle between the United States and China, Walt Disney’s animated movie “Zootopia 2” has become a bridge for improving tense relations between the two countries. The film, released globally on the 26th of last month, continues to enjoy worldwide box office success in the U.S. and South Korea, but its performance in China is particularly notable. State-controlled English-language media outlet Global Times reported on the 8th that “Zootopia 2” generated 3.02 billion yuan (about 628 billion Korean won) within 12 days of its release in the country.
This positions the movie among the top three highest-earning films launched in China this year and highlights it as the most successful foreign animation ever released in the country, as reported by the media source. People’s Daily noted, “Since its simultaneous release in North America, the film’s box office earnings in mainland China have far exceeded those in the North American market, reinforcing its status as the biggest box office market worldwide.” There is significant commentary that the extensive coverage of the Hollywood film’s success in Chinese state-controlled media is uncommon.
Thanks to the film’s popularity, items like soft toys featuring the main characters, rabbit ‘Judy’ and fox ‘Nick,’ are being sold quickly. The initial movie, which came out nine years back, also saw remarkable success in the country, so some degree of box office results for the follow-up was expected, but reviews indicate it has surpassed expectations. This is especially significant considering the continuous conflict between the U.S. and China regarding security, trade, and high-tech sectors, leading to global political instability.
International media sources are also fascinated by the Chinese public’s “Zootopia” craze. In a recent piece titled “Why Is China Obsessed with ‘Zootopia’?” the Canadian Globe and Mail explored cultural reasons, pointing out that the story and environment match Chinese tastes. Alongside the charm of the characters, the storyline of a rabbit and a fox working together to overcome challenges reflects the Communist Party’s emphasis on unity.
The appeal of the movie, which avoids the so-called “Disney princess characters” that have traditionally failed to connect with Chinese viewers, is also seen as a reason for its widespread popularity. The increased Eastern influences in the sequel, in contrast to the original film, are another key reason for its success in the region. The first movie contained almost no Asian visual elements, with characters such as the sloth from South America stealing the spotlight. However, the follow-up includes a rattlesnake, a species found worldwide, as a central character.
This resonates with Eastern perspectives, where snakes are among the 12 zodiac animals and are commonly encountered in everyday life. Additionally, 2025 is the Year of the Snake, a period during which numerous snake-themed content saturates the market, making the film’s release timing especially suitable. This year is referred to as the Blue Dragon Snake year, and notably, the rattlesnake in “Zootopia” is a striking shade of blue. Although the first “Zootopia” achieved global success, its performance in the Chinese market, which has traditionally posed challenges for Hollywood films, attracted considerable attention. At that time, some critics labeled it as “propaganda media distorting the existing order by depicting natural underdogs like sheep or rabbits as villains or heroes.”
Nevertheless, due to its remarkable box office achievements, “Zootopia” has become a Disney animated film highly appreciated in China, with state-controlled media outlets positively covering the nation’s “Zootopia craze.” Experts believe this is because the movie’s theme of various animals, differing in looks, size, and personalities, working together and striving for harmony resonates with China’s national identity as a country made up of the Han ethnic group, which is the majority, along with 55 other minority groups.
Disney has quickly reacted to the Chinese public’s special fondness for “Zootopia” content. In December 2023, it introduced a themed area inspired by the movie at its worldwide Disney parks for the first time. Six days prior to the release, on November 20, it also organized the first premiere at Shanghai Disneyland, which was attended by the cast and production team.
