If you checked out Chinese cinema over the Spring Festival holiday, you’ve probably heard about Ne Zha 2, the animated blockbuster that’s been the talk of the country for the past week.
And no, it’s not just the stunning visuals or epic battles that have captured attention – this movie is making history.
Released on January 29, 2025, Ne Zha 2 has rapidly ascended to unprecedented heights, becoming the first film in history to gross USD1 billion within a single country.
With a current gross of RMB8.1 billion (USD1.1 billion) as of February 10, the film has set a new benchmark in China’s box office history, surpassing previous single-country records, including hitherto record holder Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which earned USD935 million in the US in 2015-16.
This historic feat has placed Ne Zha 2 firmly among the top animated films worldwide, with Maoyan projections suggesting the film may ultimately gross as much as RMB12 billion (USD1.65 billion), which would make it the second-highest-grossing animated film globally — potentially overtaking The Lion King remake.
The second-highest-grossing animated film is currently Inside Out 2, which was the highest grossing of any film in 2024, taking USD1,7 billion globally.
As Ne Zha 2 continues its box office dominance, it has already broken every Chinese industry record.
Not only did it surpass The Battle of Lake Changjin in all-time grosses, but it also outpaced Wolf Warrior 2 for ticket sales.
The first Ne Zha movie, released in 2019, earned an impressive RMB5 billion (USD668 million).
Loosely based on Chinese mythology and the classic novel Investiture of the Gods, Ne Zha 2 continues the story of Ne Zha, a young boy with supernatural powers who must battle the Dragon King of the Four Seas and his army of sea creatures.
The film’s blend of ancient mythological themes with cutting-edge animation has resonated deeply with audiences, making it a cultural touchstone.
Not only is Ne Zha 2 dominating the Chinese market, but it is also poised to make waves internationally; the film is set to roll out in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea on February 13, with the US and Canada following on February 14.
Ne Zha 2 is generating buzz on IMDB even before its US release. Screenshot by That's
Its US release is generating substantial buzz, with early reviews on platforms like IMDB overwhelmingly positive, boasting an 8.3 rating even before its official debut in North America.
In anticipation of the film’s release, cinemas in New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities are adding midnight screenings to accommodate growing demand.
This international rollout will allow Ne Zha 2 to expand its reach, pushing its global earnings even further.
Before you rush to grab your ticket in the Middle Kingdom though, a quick heads-up – Ne Zha 2 is currently only available in Mandarin in China, with not even a trace of English subtitles.
So, unless you’re a language wizard or planning on bringing a translator along, you might want to brush up on your Chinese!
Follow along as Ne Zha 2 continues to make history and revolutionize the animation scene, one record at a time. Stay tuned by following our WeChat official account, ThatsGBA.
[Cover image via That's]
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