The animated sequel Zootopia 2 has burst into cinemas with a powerful opening, drawing strong early crowds and receiving a major promotional boost from global superstar Shakira.
Shakira's Viral Dance Celebration
Marking the film's release, Shakira, who returns to voice the charismatic pop-star Gazelle, set the internet abuzz. She posted a short, energetic clip on her official Instagram handle showing her dancing to Zoo, the new song she performs for the film's soundtrack.
Her caption was simple and celebratory: "Happy release #zootopia2 day!!!" The post quickly gained traction, spreading like wildfire across her massive social media following and directly engaging the film's built-in fan base.
Adding to the excitement, Disney Music released a companion video. This clip featured Gazelle within the animated world of Zootopia, performing the same track. Its caption, "Are you ready to turn this dance floor into a zoo with Gazelle?!", perfectly complemented Shakira's real-world post, creating a unified and effective early promotional push for the movie's rollout.
What Awaits in Zootopia 2?
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the film reunites the beloved bunny-fox duo. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back in the Zootopia Police Department, falling into their familiar dynamic as they team up to investigate a new reptilian resident causing trouble in the city.
The sequel doesn't shy away from the complex themes that made the first film a hit. Systemic issues, internal disputes, and corruption are once again central to the plot, but this time the stakes are higher and the action spreads to wider corners of the sprawling city.
The critical response has been overwhelmingly positive. Peter Debruge, chief film critic at Variety, called the film a "worthy successor". This sentiment is echoed by audiences, who have given the film an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Box Office Success and Future Prospects
Zootopia 2 has started its box office run with tremendous momentum. Early studio data confirms the film earned a robust $39.5 million as it opened its doors to the public.
While the final weekend totals will be influenced by holiday movie-going traffic, industry tracker Deadline projects that the film is on track to surpass a spectacular $125 million in its opening weekend. With cast-led promotions and new music releases like Shakira's track fueling the excitement, Zootopia 2 is poised for a spectacular run in the cinemas.
