People pass the poster of the animation feature “ne zha 2” at a cinema in Tianyang, Liaon Province, northeastern China on February 6, 2025 (xinhua/li gang)
Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has shattered multiple box office records, the first film to surpass US$1 billion in a single market and the first non-Hollywood to join the coveted $1 billion club It has become the title.
The sophomore outing of the myth franchise has attracted over 160 million movie fans, each data from ticketing platforms Maoyan and Beacon, setting a new record for the highest ever enrollment in China.
At the helm of Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, the film hit the big screen with a lucrative Chinese New Year frame on January 29th, surpassing 2017’s “Wolf Warrior 2” and was the most watched in China It’s now a movie. Meanwhile, its total revenue (including pre-sale) reached 8 billion yuan (approximately US$1.2 billion) by Sunday.
In just eight days since its release, “Ne Zha 2” became the highest growing film of all time on Thursday, surpassing the 5.777 billion yuan record set by “The Battle at tchanginin.” A day later, it surpassed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, becoming the most cultivated film ever in a single market, reaching 67.9 billion yuan (including pre-sale) in China on Friday.
The sequel, a follow-up to the animation sensation Ne Zha, which won 5 billion yuan in 2019 and won the country’s box office collection charts, is full of breathtaking visuals, rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance. It captivated the audience.
With a record-breaking run, “Ne Zha 2” is not just a box-office Titan, but a cultural phenomenon, further highlighting China’s ability to produce homemade blockbusters that play chords with domestic audiences. Masu.
Industry analysts are now looking to see if Ne Zha 2 will maintain its momentum and be able to set an even higher benchmark in the coming days. Mayan on Sunday night has once again raised the film’s domestic box office forecast. It currently forecasts it will rise from its estimated at 10.8 billion yuan just three days ago, exceeding 12 billion yuan. This is the first time that Chinese films have been predicted to exceed the 10 billion-Yuan threshold.
The sequel continues the story of iconic Chinese mythological characters. It follows Neza and Irving as they are set after the events of the first film and their souls are saved, but their physical forms face disbandment. With the help of Immortal Tai Chi, which uses seven colours of lotus to rebuild the body, the two heroes must face many challenges.
Only “Ne Zha 2,” which takes audiences on an emotional journey that combines action, humor and heart, accounted for half of what totaled for the historic 2025 Spring Festival Holiday Box Office. Until February 4th.
This robust performance was a major victory for China’s film industry, facing a tough year in 2024, with box office revenue falling 23% from 2023 and 34% from its pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
In this context, the record success of “Ne Zha 2” has been hailed as a much-needed boost for the sector.
People will leave the film screening room at a cinema in Kunming, Yunnan Province, southwestern China on February 3, 2025 (Photo: Peng Yikai/Xinhua)
Maoyan analyst Lai Li described the film as a major milestone, especially for China’s growing animation industry. “The success of ‘Ne Zha 2’ set the tone for the year,” Lai said. “It highlights the incredible resilience and growth potential of the Chinese film market and we look forward to seeing how the rest of 2025 unfolds.”
Beyond domestic success, Ne Zha 2 is poised to create a wave internationally as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences a glimpse of China’s rich myths and traditions.
Jiaozi, who gained fame following the success of “Ne Zha,” emphasizes that the international success of Chinese films depends on the inherent appeal of the film itself. “It’s about the script, the story, and whether the characters can move audiences around the world,” he said in a video interview. “These are not outsourced.”
Jiaozi also shared the personal journey that “Ne Zha” film took over him, explaining how the series evolved from his own passion into a wide range of cultural phenomena.
“The first step was to create something I loved, and the domestic audience loved it too,” he said. “As time passed, I worked to improve it and refine my skills. I believe that one day new ideas, deeper meanings, and new souls will emerge from it.
His views are reflected by film industry experts.
Yin Hong, vice president of the Chinese Film Association and professor at Tingua University, believes the film’s success comes from a layer of sophisticated narratives.
“The reimagining of the film’s mythology, the duality of the demon’s spirit, the conflict between the magical and heavenly realms, and the depiction of the struggle between the heavenly and the underwater world creates dramatic tensions that work on multiple levels.” Yin told Xinhua.
“It captures the universal themes of childhood development and forms the eddypal archetype that bridges personal and social narratives,” Yin praised the film’s subtle yet stunning storytelling in particular. I praised him for doing so.
Lao Shuguan, president of the Chinese Film Critics Association, praised the film for its fusion of traditional Chinese mythology and modern storytelling.
“This film proves that a good film requires compelling stories, keen storytelling and well-developed characters,” says Rao, saying that China will attract audiences and bring more people to the point of viewers. He expressed his hopes to continue making high-quality films that attract theatres.
