Zootopia 2 Rallies in China, Overtakes Avatar: Fire and Ash in New Year’s Day Box Office Upset

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I was really surprised to see what happened in China on New Year’s Day! It was like a Disney battle at the box office, and Zootopia 2 actually beat out Avatar: Fire and Ash. I definitely didn’t expect that!

After playing in theaters for 37 days, Zootopia 2 unexpectedly jumped back to the top spot in China, surpassing Avatar: Fire and Ash, which had only been out for two weeks.

On January 1st, Zootopia 2 led China’s box office with earnings of $14.67 million, followed by Avatar: Fire and Ash at $11.51 million. What’s notable is that audiences preferred the animated sequel, which had already been out for a month, over the new Avatar film, even on a busy moviegoing day.

A Late-Run Rally That Defies Expectations

Typically, a movie that’s been in theaters for almost six weeks would be replaced by a new, big-budget release—particularly during a holiday. However, Zootopia 2 defied expectations. It has now earned a total of $589.8 million at the box office in China, significantly more than the $122.2 million earned by Avatar: Fire and Ash.

This late increase in popularity isn’t just about initial enthusiasm. It shows people are still interested in the movie, watching it multiple times, and recommending it to others – all signs that it will stay popular for a while, not just generate a quick burst of attention.

Why New Year’s Day in China Matters

New Year’s Day is a very important date for movie releases in China. Studios often depend on the holiday to increase ticket sales, particularly for big films that have just come out. Previous Avatar movies have been incredibly popular with Chinese audiences, who have played a large part in their huge success.

What’s interesting about this outcome is how it happened. “Fire and Ash” wasn’t knocked off the top by a new movie or increased competition – it was surpassed by a film that had been out for over a month already.

The Contrast With Media Framing Around Avatar

Most Western news about Avatar: Fire and Ash focuses on its good performance overseas and initial worldwide earnings. This coverage often highlights strong opening weekend numbers and the expectation that Avatar will be a big hit, especially in China.

The New Year’s Day numbers complicate that narrative.

As a movie reviewer, I’ve always known China was huge for James Cameron. His films didn’t just open well there, they dominated the box office for weeks. So, seeing a 37-day-old animated sequel actually beat the brand new Avatar during a major holiday? That’s a signal things are changing. It’s not a disaster for Avatar, but the market is definitely adjusting. It feels like a recalibration of what we can expect from overseas numbers.

Compared to earlier Avatar films, Fire and Ash isn’t generating the same level of excitement or repeat viewings. While it’s still doing well in theaters, it’s no longer the clear box office leader.

Higher Ticket Prices, Higher Stakes

Often overlooked in news about box office numbers is the cost of movie tickets. Currently, tickets in China are more expensive than they were when Avatar: The Way of Water came out. This means that even if a movie makes a similar amount of money now, it’s actually being seen by fewer people.

When another film performs better than yours during a holiday weekend, it’s particularly significant. It’s not simply about how much money each film makes, but also about which film audiences choose to see when they’re making a conscious effort to go to the movies.

What This Signals Going Forward

While the surprising performance on New Year’s Day isn’t a setback for Avatar: Fire and Ash or its popularity worldwide, it does show that the movie market is becoming more competitive. Simply being a well-known franchise isn’t enough anymore – films that truly connect with audiences and have lasting appeal can now succeed, even against major blockbusters, on important release dates.

The performance of Zootopia 2 solidifies its position as a strong box office success in China. Meanwhile, Avatar‘s results show that filmmakers can’t rely on established fan bases, particularly in international markets, as much as they used to.

Looking ahead to 2026, the way Zootopia 2 is performing compared to Avatar really hits home for me. It’s showing that, even with massive special effects, a film’s ability to connect with audiences and stay relevant over time is just as crucial – if not more so – for box office success. It’s not just about the initial splash anymore.

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2026-01-02 23:57