Disney's surprise hit film 'Zootopia 2' has shattered multiple box office records, raking in $156 million domestically in less than a week and $271.7 million in China, which accounts for almost half of its worldwide total. But behind the magic lies a long and arduous journey that didn't happen overnight.
The success story began with the original 2016 film, which wasn't just another Disney movie about talking animals but told an ironic tale of prejudice, fear, and conspiracy in the utopian city of Zootopia. The subterfuge was investigated by a rabbit police recruit who teamed up with a crafty fox voiced by Jason Bateman, making it seem like a buddy cop movie that appealed to adults as well as kids.
Disney's strategy involved creating an immersive experience for its fans, leveraging the success of its films in theaters and on streaming platforms. Kids watch their favorite movies in theaters, rewatch them at home on Disney+, and then beg their parents to take them to a theme park. Once there, they immerse themselves in the lands they fell in love with and remind themselves to watch the latest installment when they leave.
This strategy played out over nine years, from the premiere of Zootopia to the opening of its theme park land and the sequel's release. The data shows that Disney's promotional push has had a profound effect on audiences worldwide. Google Trends reports that searches for 'Zootopia' in China only peaked at 70 in 2016 but reached 100 this week, with the film's Rotten Tomatoes rating being four percentage points higher than its predecessor.
While Zootopia 2 lags behind Chinese production Ne Zha 2 as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, it has already done well to get this far in China despite geopolitical tensions and a growing preference for homegrown cinema. The sequel builds on the themes of the original with an undercover storyline featuring Ke Huy Quan's snake voice actor Gary De'Snake.
The film has enchanted audiences even more than its predecessor, with Rotten Tomatoes describing it as "cleverly layering a thoughtful message onto another crackerjack caper while solidifying Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as one of the most endearing buddy pairings in ages." Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, praises the film's strong ticket sales, calling them "a great result and a big momentum builder for the box office."
As Disney continues to expand its theme parks with immersive experiences like Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia land, it's clear that success doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and careful planning to build a loyal fanbase and create a movie experience that resonates with audiences worldwide.
The success story began with the original 2016 film, which wasn't just another Disney movie about talking animals but told an ironic tale of prejudice, fear, and conspiracy in the utopian city of Zootopia. The subterfuge was investigated by a rabbit police recruit who teamed up with a crafty fox voiced by Jason Bateman, making it seem like a buddy cop movie that appealed to adults as well as kids.
Disney's strategy involved creating an immersive experience for its fans, leveraging the success of its films in theaters and on streaming platforms. Kids watch their favorite movies in theaters, rewatch them at home on Disney+, and then beg their parents to take them to a theme park. Once there, they immerse themselves in the lands they fell in love with and remind themselves to watch the latest installment when they leave.
This strategy played out over nine years, from the premiere of Zootopia to the opening of its theme park land and the sequel's release. The data shows that Disney's promotional push has had a profound effect on audiences worldwide. Google Trends reports that searches for 'Zootopia' in China only peaked at 70 in 2016 but reached 100 this week, with the film's Rotten Tomatoes rating being four percentage points higher than its predecessor.
While Zootopia 2 lags behind Chinese production Ne Zha 2 as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, it has already done well to get this far in China despite geopolitical tensions and a growing preference for homegrown cinema. The sequel builds on the themes of the original with an undercover storyline featuring Ke Huy Quan's snake voice actor Gary De'Snake.
The film has enchanted audiences even more than its predecessor, with Rotten Tomatoes describing it as "cleverly layering a thoughtful message onto another crackerjack caper while solidifying Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as one of the most endearing buddy pairings in ages." Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, praises the film's strong ticket sales, calling them "a great result and a big momentum builder for the box office."
As Disney continues to expand its theme parks with immersive experiences like Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia land, it's clear that success doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and careful planning to build a loyal fanbase and create a movie experience that resonates with audiences worldwide.
you gotta love the way disney built up zootopia 2 from scratch 
over 9 years of promotional pushin and them theme park lands are doin their job 
! its all about creatin an immersive experience for fans and now its payin off big time 
i mean, china is lovin it and disney's strategy is genial 
I'm so proud of Disney for building a brand that not only entertains kids but also sparks conversations about important issues like prejudice and bias 
The way they leveraged the success of their films, theme parks, and streaming platforms to create a cohesive experience is pure genius 
And it's amazing to see how Zootopia 2 has resonated with audiences worldwide, especially in China where homegrown cinema is on the rise 
It just goes to show that with careful planning and patience, you can build something truly special that leaves a lasting impact 
. It's all about creating an immersive experience for fans, and that's something we could all learn from.
. I mean, who needs politics when you have lovable characters and a great story, right? But seriously, this just goes to show that with careful planning and dedication, even the biggest goals can be achieved.
. It's like Disney took what worked for them in 2016 and then amplified it 
. And let's not forget about the merchandising opportunities - I mean, who wouldn't want to buy a Zootopia-themed toy or two? 
. And let's be real, their marketing strategy is on point 
. They're using social media and streaming platforms to keep the magic alive and make sure their fans are hyped for the next installment 
.
. The fact that they're tackling real issues like prejudice and fear in a way that's both entertaining and thought-provoking is just masterful 
. And can we talk about Gary De'Snake? 
. They're building a loyal fanbase and creating an immersive experience that fans will love for years to come 
. So, here's to Zootopia 2: may it continue to slay the box office and bring more magic to our screens 
! 
. Building a loyal fanbase takes time, patience, and careful planning. It's not just about churning out hits but creating an immersive experience that resonates with audiences worldwide. Disney's strategy is a great example of this 
. The fact that it's performing well despite geopolitical tensions and a growing preference for homegrown cinema is a testament to Disney's careful planning 
.
.
And honestly, I think it paid off 
. I was there when Zootopia first came out and I had a blast watching it with my friends at the cinema 
. Now, seeing all these theme park lands dedicated to their movies is just genius 
. And let's not forget about Disney+, it's like they're giving us an endless loop of our favorite characters to revisit whenever we want 
. It's not surprising that Zootopia 2 broke some records, but what really gets me is how much thought and care went into creating this whole world and its story 
. It just goes to show that with time and dedication, you can create something truly magical