In a stunning box office showdown, one animated sequel soars to new heights while a political dramedy crashes and burns—but which film’s success is truly surprising? This weekend’s North American box office results are in, and the race for the top spot is anything but predictable. While Zootopia 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 battled fiercely for dominance, it’s the underperformance of James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay that’s raising eyebrows. But here’s where it gets controversial: could Ella McCay’s flop signal a shift in audience appetite for political narratives, or is it simply a case of mismatched marketing? Let’s dive in.
Zootopia 2 claimed the No. 1 position, raking in $6.2 million on its third Friday in domestic theaters—a 40% dip from last week but still an impressive haul. The animated juggernaut is projected to hit $26 million by Sunday, adding to its already staggering global total. Speaking of milestones, Zootopia 2 crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide on Friday, just 17 days after its release. This makes it the fastest PG-rated film ever to reach this milestone and the third film of 2025 to join the billion-dollar club, following Lilo & Stitch ($1.03 billion) and China’s Ne Zha 2 ($1.9 billion). And this is the part most people miss: its rapid success underscores the enduring appeal of family-friendly animation in a crowded market.
Trailing closely behind in second place is Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, which earned $5.6 million on its second Friday—an 81% drop from its debut. Despite the sharp decline, the film is expected to gross $20 million domestically this weekend, building on its impressive $64 million opening last week. But here’s a thought-provoking question: is the franchise’s momentum sustainable, or are audiences already growing fatigued of its formula?
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Ella McCay. James L. Brooks’ political dramedy, starring Emma Mackey as a governor grappling with work-life balance, grossed a mere $850,000 across 2,500 theaters in its opening weekend—far below its $4 million projection. With a $35 million budget, this flop is particularly stinging for the Oscar-winning director of Terms of Endearment and As Good as It Gets. Is it the film’s premise, its marketing, or something deeper about today’s audiences? Weigh in below—this is a debate worth having.
Rounding out the top five are Wicked: For Good, which secured third place with $2.2 million on Friday and is on track for an $8.3 million weekend, pushing its North American total to $311 million. Fourth place went to Dhurandhar, an Indian Hindi-language spy thriller from B62 Studios, which earned an estimated $930,000 on Friday and is expected to reach $3.2 million by Sunday. Finally, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t landed in fifth place, pulling in $720,000 on Friday and aiming for a $2.4 million weekend, bringing its domestic total to $59.4 million.
So, what’s the takeaway? While Zootopia 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 dominate, Ella McCay’s failure sparks a larger conversation about audience preferences and the challenges of political storytelling in today’s cinema. What do you think? Is Ella McCay a missed opportunity, or is its flop justified? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
