Hollywood’s Future at the Chinese Box Office May Hinge on ‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’
Earlier this morning, we brought you the news that Zootopia 2 was tracking towards a massive opening in China.
At the post-pandemic box office, China has remained largely elusive to Hollywood films, which have failed to achieve the same financial success as in years past.
Despite Disney’s ability to get its films screened in China, audiences simply haven’t turned out. This has capped the global cume of recent releases.
Here Comes ‘Zootopia 2’
It is against this backdrop that Zootopia 2 will hit theaters in China tomorrow. So far, however, Disney has every reason to be excited.
The highly anticipated sequel to Zootopia has sold $15 million in pre-sale tickets to Chinese audiences. That total is the highest for a Hollywood film since Avatar: The Way of Water.
Lasting Implications
According to a new report from Deadline’s Nancy Tartaglione, the box-office success of Zootopia 2 and Avatar: The Way of Water in China could have massive implications for Hollywood moving forward.
Photo: Disney
“Both ‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’s performances in the PRC will be keenly watched by the industry and help determine whether China, which has turned increasingly inward in recent times, has completely switched off of Hollywood or if it can still be relied upon when properties for which it has shown a predilection are offered on local screens.”
Hollywood’s Bellwethers
Looking at recent box office history, you would be hard-pressed to find two franchises more successful in China than Zootopia and Avatar.
Photo: Disney
The original Zootopia film and both Avatar installments have grossed more than $200 million in the elusive country.
If these two franchises can’t cut it in China, Hollywood will have to re-evaluate its expectations and release strategies.
What Could Change?
Already, studios have ceased sending their top talent to China to promote films, though Cameron will visit the country later this year for Fire and Ash.
Photo: Complex.com
“It’s super important for Hollywood movies to figure out where we are, and how much are Hollywood movies really worth in the Chinese marketplace. It’s also incredibly important to the Chinese industry. Look at the box office at the moment … the industry needs it. They need Hollywood,” one exec told Deadline.
If Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash fail, studios will be forced to recalibrate the outlook of their blockbuster films, which would naturally lead to lower budgets.
Photo: Disney
Such a decision would not only harm the global box office but also perhaps the Chinese economy.
Too Early to Panic
The good news is that Zootopia 2 is tracking towards being a major success.
Photo: Wikipedia
So, for now at least, it may be too early to sound the alarms.
