Zootopia 2 rules Thanksgiving box office with $156 million five-day opening

Nine years after the original ‘Zootopia’, Disney’s animated feature ‘Zootopia 2’ dominated the Thanksgiving box office, pulling in $96.8 million over the weekend and $156 million across its five-day opening, according to US review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.

With $156 million in five days, the sequel now holds the eighth-highest November opening of all time. By this time next week, its 12-day performance is expected to climb even higher, potentially placing it among the top five second-weekend totals for any November release.

In the film, which opened in theaters November 28, Judy and Nick find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, they must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.

According to Disney Animation chief creative officer and director Jared Bush, who also wrote the script, a larger world is in store for fans.

“We are beyond excited to welcome everyone back to the outrageous, expansive animal metropolis of Zootopia, and take audiences on a hilarious, wild ride into parts of the city we’ve never visited before,” said Bush.

“Whether it's the marshes of semi-aquatic mammals, the vast desert dunes or even greater mysteries beyond, our heroes, Judy and Nick, will meet a lot of new friends, and discover even more about the world, themselves and a brand-new snake in town.”

Director Byron Howard said that the trailer features the original song ‘ZUTU’ by Zootopia’s finest lemming techno group, LEMEEENS.

Howard added, “Fresh from touring with superstar Gazelle as her opening act, members Hans-Peter, Gūnther, Spielt and their DJ, Spaß, created the song to mark the occasion and welcome the world back to the City of Zootopia!”

From the Oscar-winning team of Jared Bush and Byron Howard (directors) and Yvett Merino (producer), “Zootopia 2” also features the voices of Fortune Feimster, Quinta Brunson and Shakira, who returns as Gazelle.

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor is all set to rule hearts with her voice as Judy Hopps in the Hindi version of the movie.  

Announcing the news, Disney India took to their social media account on November 7 and shared an adorable poster of Zootopia 2 featuring Shraddha and Judy.

They captioned it as, “Bohot jyada excited to join the #Zootopia2 family, as the voice of THE AMAZING Judy Hopps in Hindi – she is feisty, courageous, and enthusiastic, and cute toh hai hi bachpan se Kal aa raha hai aapke liye ek anokha surprise. Stay Tuned!!! #Zootopia2 - In cinemas November 28.”

(with inputs from syndicated feed)