Zootopia 2 reclaimed the top spot at the China box office in the first weekend of 2026. The Disney sequel grossed RMB121.5 million ($17.1 million). This pushed its cumulative total to RMB4.25 billion ($598 million).

James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash moved to second place. It added $15.8 million. The threequel has now earned $136.3 million in China since its December 19 debut. Maoyan Movies' The Fire Raven secured third place.

The shift in box office dominance reflects evolving audience preferences. AI algorithms are increasingly used to predict movie success. These algorithms analyze audience data. They also track social media trends. This helps studios tailor marketing campaigns.

Zootopia 2's success highlights the enduring appeal of animated films. Avatar: Fire and Ash demonstrates the power of established franchises. The Chinese film industry continues to grow. AI is playing a larger role in its development.

Analysts predict continued competition between Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash. The long-term impact of AI on film production and distribution remains to be seen. Future box office results will provide further insights.