In a quiet weekend dominated by holdovers, Disney’s animated sequel Zootopia 2 reclaimed the top spot at the domestic box office, pulling in $26.3 million in its third weekend of release. Studio estimates show the film has quickly amassed $1.14 billion in global ticket sales, largely thanks to its massive success in China where it has grossed $502.4 million. Zootopia 2 became the year’s second Hollywood title to cross the $1 billion threshold worldwide.
The Weekend’s Competition
The arrival of Avatar: Fire and Ash on Friday made the weekend relatively quiet, as there were no major new releases to challenge the holdovers. Zootopia 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 were the only contenders for the top position, and the edge went to Disney’s film. The second film in the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise, produced by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, collected $15.4 million in its second weekend, a sharp 70 % drop from its above‑expectations debut.
Horror’s Domestic Performance
Despite the steep decline, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 still holds a respectable domestic total of $95.5 million. The $36 million production has proven to be a big win for Blumhouse, adding another horror franchise to its portfolio. Its domestic success underscores the franchise’s continued appeal to a broad audience.
The Disappointing Return of Ella McCay
The most notable new release of the weekend was James L. Brook’s Ella McCay, his first directed film in 15 years. The comic drama, starring newcomer Emma Mackey as a 34‑year‑old woman who becomes governor of her home state, earned a scant $2.1 million from 2,500 locations, making it one of the year’s worst wide releases. Reviews were poor, with a 22 % fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the film’s cost of $35 million to make further dampened its prospects.
Supporting Cast and Production Details
*Ella McCay features a supporting cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Ayo Edebiri and Woody Harrelson. Brook, known for Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News*, has long specialized in award‑winning comic dramas that rarely find large audiences in theaters. The film’s modest earnings reflect that trend.
The Year’s Biggest Global Hits
Outside the domestic market, Lilo & Stitch is the only other 2025 Hollywood title to surpass $1 billion worldwide, grossing $1.04 billion. The Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 tops the list of yearly grossers, collecting nearly $2 billion just in China, and remains the highest‑grossing movie of the year.
Domestic Top Ten Standings
According to Comscore data, the following films led the domestic box office for the weekend, with estimated ticket sales from Friday through Sunday:
- *1. Zootopia 2* – $26.3 million
- 2. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – $19.5 million
- 3. Wicked: For Good – $8.6 million
- 4. Dhurandhar – $3.5 million
- 5. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t – $2.4 million
- 6. Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution – $2.1 million
- 7. Ella McCay – $2.1 million
- 8. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – $1.9 million
- 9. Eternity – $1.8 million
- 10. Hamnet** – $1.5 million
Looking Ahead to the Holiday Corridor
With overall ticket sales for the year running close to even with last year’s disappointing grosses, Hollywood will be hoping the coming holiday corridor – traditionally the busiest movie‑going period of the year – ends 2025 on a high note. Upcoming releases on the horizon include Avatar: Fire and Ash, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Marty Supreme, Anaconda and Song Sung Blue.
Key Takeaways
- Zootopia 2 dominates the domestic box office with $26.3 million in its third weekend, contributing to its $1.14 billion global haul.
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 sees a 70 % drop in its second weekend but remains a $95.5 million domestic success.
- Ella McCay struggles, earning only $2.1 million from 2,500 screens and costing $35 million to produce.
The weekend’s results highlight the continued strength of Disney’s animated franchise, the resilience of horror sequels, and the challenges faced by high‑budget drama releases in a competitive market.
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
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