Disney appeared to close the year on a high note. As per a report shared by Variety, the studio surpassed $6 billion in global ticket sales, showcasing a significant box office milestone. The achievement marked Disney’s fifth time crossing the $6 billion benchmark and its first since the COVID-19 pandemic.The studio previously reached the figure in 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Since 2015, no other studio had managed to cross the $6 billion mark. The year’s total was driven by a mix of high-performing releases. May’s “Lilo & Stitch” collected $1.03 billion, while November’s “Zootopia 2” stood at $1.3 billion and continued its run. James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” added $450 million after just one week of release, alongside three Marvel sequels that contributed to the overall tally.In total, Disney earned $2.3 billion domestically and $3.65 billion internationally across all titles. Online, the milestone was met with skepticism as much as surprise.“The math ain't mathing, is this after or before tax,” asked a user on X.Another post took a different view, with JOHN Z writing,“Consistently breaking 6B, proof of Disney's mastery of free-market dynamics and digital culture.”“That’s a strong reminder of what consistent IP, smart releases, and global reach can still do when it all clicks.” shared David Peterson.Disney’s Jared Bush reflected on ‘Zootopia 2’ and the meaning behind its box office run:Zootopia 2 - Mexico City Red Carpet - Source: GettyThe success of Zootopia 2 this year drew recognition from Disney’s leadership as the film continued to post strong box office numbers worldwide. Jared Bush, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, addressed the milestone earlier this month, emphasizing what the achievement represented beyond revenue.“This milestone means the world to us, because more than anything, it means audiences are coming to theaters for a shared experience of watching this movie on the big screen, everyone together, from all walks of life around the world — and that is a Zootopia dream come true,” Bush said in a statement.According to a report shared by CNBC, Zootopia 2 stood out as one of the few films to cross the billion-dollar mark this year. The only other title to achieve that feat was China’s “Ne Zha 2,” which had collected $2.2 billion since its release in January. Industry analysts noted that billion-dollar releases had become increasingly rare in recent years.“With the evolution of global market trends in recent years, reaching $1 billion has become a little more of a novelty again,” Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, told CNBC.Robbins also pointed to the film’s performance in China as a key factor behind its global totals. Nearly $450 million of “Zootopia 2’s” worldwide earnings had come from the region, a significant figure amid a reduced number of American films approved for theatrical release in China and ongoing threats of further restrictions tied to escalating tariffs.Marvel Studios Panel At SDCC - Source: GettyDisney’s box office dominance appears unlikely to waver in 2026, with the studio already positioned around a slate of high-profile releases. The upcoming lineup includes “Avengers: Doomsday,” “Toy Story 5,” the live-action “Moana,” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” Based on the strength of the schedule, the global studio will enter the year from a position of confidence.