Disney’s Zootopia 2 roared back to claim the China box office throne in 2026’s first weekend (Jan 2-4), earning RMB121.5 million ($17.1M) and pushing James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash to second place. The New Year’s holiday shattered records with 739M yuan ($106M) total, signaling Hollywood’s enduring pull amid local competition—yet raising questions about sustainable dominance in the world’s second-largest market.
China Box Office: Jan 2-4 2026 Results
Zootopia 2 surged 775% on New Year’s Day alone, reclaiming #1 with $17.1M—its China cume now hits RMB4.25B ($598M), cementing it as Disney’s all-time animated champ there.
Avatar: Fire and Ash added a sturdy $15.8M despite the drop, tallying $136.3M in China after its Dec 19 debut—still tracking toward Endgame’s imported record.
Top 5 China Box Office: First Weekend 2026
| Rank | Film | Weekend ($M) | China Cume ($M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zootopia 2 | 17.1 | 598 |
| 2 | Avatar: Fire and Ash | 15.8 | 136.3 |
| 3 | The Fire Raven | ~8.0 | ~45.0 |
| 4 | Back to the Past | ~6.5 | ~32.0 |
| 5 | SpongeBob Movie | 2.1 | 4.0 |
Record-Shattering New Year’s Holiday
China’s Jan 1-3 New Year’s holiday exploded to 739M yuan ($106M) with 18.5M attendees—up 32.9% YOY, driven by holdovers rather than new releases.
Zootopia 2 topped charts in most regions; Avatar led Beijing/Shanghai. Analyst Lai Li calls it “strong start,” but notes locals need innovation to compete with Hollywood juggernauts.
Zootopia 2: China’s Animated Obsession
Since its explosive $272M opening (6th biggest ever), Zootopia 2’s $598M cume makes it China’s top foreign animated film—surpassing original’s $236M. Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia Land fuels cultural staying power; themes of perseverance resonate deeply.
Sold 100M+ tickets solo—first since Titanic—proving family animation thrives where live-action Hollywood often falters amid local protectionism.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Holds Strong
Cameron’s sequel grossed $136M in China (global $860M+), beating MCU/Transformers benchmarks despite 169% Thursday jumps. Pre-sales signal legs for Endgame’s 4.25B yuan throne.
60K+ screenings keep immersion alive; Na’vi spectacle trumps superhero fatigue in premium formats.
Hollywood’s China Edge vs Local Challenges
Holdovers dominated holiday (95% revenue); new locals like The Fire Raven/Back to the Past lag. Zootopia/Avatar prove IP loyalty beats one-offs—vital as China prioritizes domestic content.
2026 YTD $111M (up 33%) hints recovery, but locals must innovate beyond formula to reclaim share from Disney/20th Century Studios.
What This Means for 2026 China Box Office
Zootopia 2’s reclaim proves animation/family films safest Hollywood bet; Avatar legs affirm spectacle’s pull. Holiday surge (18.5M viewers) boosts exhibitors, but locals eye Spring Festival for counterattack.
Studios watch closely: China remains kingmaker ($600M+ potentials). Track Maoyan for real-time; this weekend sets tone for Hollywood’s most unpredictable market. Zootopia’s roar echoes—will locals answer?
