In an unprecedented achievement, China’s animated film “Ne Zha 2” has stormed past multiple box office milestones. It stands as the first non-Hollywood production to surpass the $1 billion mark in a single market.
Released on January 29 during the Chinese New Year festivities, “Ne Zha 2” has drawn over 160 million viewers. This feat sets a new record for admissions in China, according to data from ticketing platforms Maoyan and Beacon.
Chinese Animated Blockbuster Ne Zha 2 Redefines Global Box Office Benchmarks
Directed by Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, the sequel continues the tale of the iconic mythological character Nezha. The narrative follows Nezha and Aobing as they confront challenges to restore their physical forms, with assistance from the immortal Taiyi Zhenren.
Within just over eight days post-release, “Ne Zha 2” became China’s highest-grossing film, surpassing the previous record held by “The Battle at Lake Changjin.” Shortly after, it overtook “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to become the top-grossing film ever in a single market, amassing over 6.79 billion yuan (approximately $1.12 billion) in China.
The film’s success underscores China’s capability to produce homegrown blockbusters that deeply resonate with domestic audiences. Industry analysts are keenly observing whether “Ne Zha 2” can maintain its momentum and set even higher benchmarks. Maoyan has adjusted its box office forecast, now projecting the film to exceed 12 billion yuan, marking the first time a Chinese film is expected to cross the 10-billion-yuan threshold.
Ne Zha 2 Poised to serve as a cultural bridge
Beyond its domestic triumph, “Ne Zha 2” is poised to serve as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences insight into China’s rich mythology and storytelling traditions. Director Jiaozi emphasized that the international success of Chinese cinema hinges on the intrinsic appeal of the works themselves. “It’s about whether a script, a story, and its characters can move audiences worldwide,” he stated in a video interview.
Film industry experts attribute the film’s success to its sophisticated narrative and universal themes. Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association, praised the film’s reimagining of mythology and its portrayal of complex conflicts, creating dramatic tension that resonates on multiple levels.
Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, highlighted the film’s fusion of traditional Chinese mythology with modern storytelling, making it highly relatable to contemporary audiences. He expressed hope that China will continue to produce high-quality films that engage audiences and draw more people to theaters.
The record-breaking performance of “Ne Zha 2” marks a significant milestone for China’s film industry, especially following a challenging year in 2024, where box office revenues declined by 23% from 2023 and 34% from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. The film’s success is a much-needed boost for the sector, setting an optimistic tone for the rest of 2025.
As “Ne Zha 2” continues its theatrical run, both domestic and international audiences eagerly anticipate its further achievements, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
