The family film reportedly placed behind James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ A person wearing a Cheburashka costume attends a film screening in Moscow on December 24, 2025. © Ekaterina Chesnokova / Sputnik The Russian family film ‘Cheburashka 2’ ranked third globally in weekly box office earnings, according to the Kinobusiness.com news website. The comedy about the iconic Soviet-era animated character earned nearly $31 million after premiering in Russia on January 1, setting a new domestic record. Deadline said James Cameron’s epic ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ and the animated film ‘Zootopia 2’ led global box office totals for the week with $169.6 million and $81.7 million respectively. Cheburashka, a small creature known for his large ears and childlike demeanor, was created by writer Eduard Uspensky. The children’s stories were later adapted into a series of cartoons that became smash hits in the Soviet Union. The character remains popular in Russia and has been used as a mascot by several national sports teams. READ MORE: Hollywood abandoned Russia one year ago, but the country’s box office has just set an all time record: How did this happen? The first live-action ‘Cheburashka’ film was released in Russia in 2023, setting a box office record with $80 million. The release came a year after major Hollywood studios cut ties with the country over the Ukraine conflict.
