The 50th weekend of the year delivered mixed results at the box office, with established animated hits continuing to dominate while newcomers struggled to find footing. Disney’s animated powerhouse Zootopia 2 maintained its grip on the top spot for a third consecutive weekend, fending off competition from horror sequels and new releases alike. Meanwhile, the overall box office saw a dip compared to the previous year, largely due to the underperformance of several highly anticipated titles.
Zootopia 2 Crosses Major Global Milestones
Disney’s Zootopia 2 continues to be the story of the season, pulling in an estimated $26.3 million domestically in its third weekend. This represents a solid hold, dropping just 39% from the previous frame. The film’s staying power has cemented its status as a massive commercial success, pushing its cumulative domestic total to nearly $259 million.
On the global stage, the sequel has reached even dizzier heights. With a worldwide haul now exceeding $1.13 billion, Zootopia 2 has officially become the highest-grossing MPA global release of the year, surpassing Disney’s own Lilo & Stitch. Its performance in international markets, particularly China, has been nothing short of historic. It currently stands as the second-highest-grossing MPA release ever in China, trailing only Avengers: Endgame, with over $502 million generated in that market alone.
Horror Sequel Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 stays scary
Universal and Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 secured the second spot with $19.5 million in its second weekend. While this marks a steep 70% drop—a common trend for horror films and fan-driven franchises—the film has performed admirably given its theatrical-exclusive release strategy compared to its predecessor. With a running domestic total of $95.4 million, the animatronic horror sequel is quickly approaching the $100 million mark domestically.
The film’s performance highlights the franchise’s dedicated fanbase, although the front-loaded nature of its box office run suggests it may not have the long legs of family-friendly competitors like Zootopia 2.
Ella McCay Struggles in Debut
In a disappointing turn for prestige dramedies, James L. Brooks’ latest film, Ella McCay, failed to connect with audiences in its opening weekend. Debuting in 2,500 theaters, the film earned a meager $2.1 million, landing in sixth place. Despite a cast led by Emma Mackey and the pedigree of a legendary director, the film struggled to find a foothold in a crowded marketplace.
Critics and audiences alike seemed lukewarm on the release, with a B- CinemaScore and low recommendation ratings from exit polls. The film’s underperformance underscores the ongoing challenge for adult-skewing dramas to succeed theatrically in an era dominated by streaming and franchise tentpoles.
Wicked: For Good Continues its Run
Rounding out the top three was Universal’s Wicked: For Good, which added $8.55 million in its fourth weekend. The musical adaptation has now amassed a domestic total of $312.1 million, crossing the triple-century mark earlier in the week. While it continues to perform well, it is currently pacing slightly behind the cumulative total of its predecessor at the same point in its run.
As the holiday season approaches, the box office landscape remains dominated by familiar IP
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