The family film reportedly placed behind James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ and ‘Zootopia 2’

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.

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.