Success of 'Zootopia' in China catches US industry attention

Hollywood animated hit "Zootopia 2" continues its strong run in the Chinese market, where it has become the film's largest box-office territory worldwide. As of December 22, the movie had grossed over 3.8 billion yuan ($540 million) on the Chinese mainland, surpassing its North American earnings and accounting for nearly half of its global box-office earnings.

The film's success in China surprised Stanley Rosen, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California. Will Zang, a film publicist, said the strong performance underscores China's enduring influence as one of the world's most powerful movie markets – where a box-office hit can propel a film from a solid performer to a true global phenomenon.