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‘Yooz’ roars into Russian cinemas, lands in top 10 with swift box-office run
The Iranian 3D animated feature film ‘Yooz,’ directed by Reza Arzhangi, opened in Russian cinemas on April 16 and grossed $245,000 in under 10 days, entering the country’s top 10 box-office titles and drawing strong early audiences.
Released across multiple cities under the Russian title ‘Толстяк Юзи,’ the family-oriented film secured a prominent slot among foreign releases, signaling a growing international footprint for Iran’s animation sector, ISNA reported.
Russian outlets highlighted its environmental narrative and commercial momentum, noting its appeal alongside global family titles.
The feature follows an Iranian cheetah on an arduous journey back to its homeland, weaving themes of identity, conservation and cultural heritage into a fast-paced storyline. Its ecological focus on the endangered Asiatic cheetah has been central to its reception abroad, broadening its reach beyond younger viewers.
Produced by Soureh Animation Center and VistaMedia, and distributed internationally by ‘Ten Letters,’ ‘Yooz’ builds on a strong domestic run. The film premiered in Iran in October 2025, drawing more than 1.5 million viewers and earning almost 970 billion rials, becoming the country’s highest-grossing animated title to date.
Industry observers point to the film’s “cross-border” appeal and technical polish, achieved through high production standards, as key to its overseas traction.