Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” has rewritten box office history, surpassing Disney’s “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time globally.
According to Maoyan, as of Tuesday evening, the film’s worldwide earnings, including presales, have exceeded 12.319 billion yuan (approximately 1.72 billion USD). The film achieved this record-breaking feat just 20 days after its release on January 29, during the Chinese New Year, and a day after breaking into the all-time global box office top 10.
This milestone cements “Ne Zha 2” as the first non-Hollywood animated film to surpass $1 billion in a single market and places it in a league of its own among animated productions. Industry projections from Maoyan and Beacon suggest that the film could surpass 15 billion yuan in total domestic earnings.
Lai Li, a Maoyan analyst, emphasized that “Ne Zha 2” has significantly raised the ceiling for single-film earnings, demonstrating the growth potential and resilience of the Chinese market. The film’s overwhelming success is expected to deliver massive commercial returns for its production company, Enlight Media, whose stock prices have surged amid growing investor confidence.
Directed by Yang Yu (Jiaozi), a self-taught animator and former pharmacy student, the film has not only achieved financial success but has also become a cultural phenomenon, reinforcing the strength of China’s domestic film industry.
“Ne Zha 2” builds upon the legacy of its 2019 predecessor, “Ne Zha,” which grossed 5 billion yuan and became a major success in Chinese cinema. The sequel continues the story of Nezha, the iconic boy god from Chinese mythology, and his ally Aobing, as they struggle to restore their physical forms after their souls are saved. With the guidance of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, the two must navigate a series of challenges to rebuild their bodies and secure their fate.
The film’s blend of traditional Chinese mythology and modern storytelling has resonated with audiences worldwide. Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, praised the movie for seamlessly weaving classic Chinese folklore into a contemporary cinematic narrative.
Beyond its compelling storytelling, “Ne Zha 2” has set a new benchmark for technical excellence in animation. The film features over 2,000 special effects shots, with contributions from 138 animation studios, showcasing China’s evolving creative industry. Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television, and Theatre at Peking University, described the movie as a turning point in Chinese animation, pushing artistic boundaries and setting new industry standards.
Director Jiaozi reflected on his journey in a recent interview, explaining how the “Ne Zha” series evolved from a personal passion project into a cultural movement. He expressed hope that future projects will continue to innovate, allowing Chinese stories to gain recognition on the global stage.
“Ne Zha 2” is part of a larger cultural wave, reflecting the increasing demand for homegrown Chinese content. Shi Anbin, director of the Israel Epstein Center for Global Media and Communication at Tsinghua University, noted that both “Ne Zha 2” and video games like “Black Myth: Wukong” symbolize a renaissance in Chinese storytelling, blending ancient legends with cutting-edge technology.
This rising interest in traditional Chinese culture, fueled by national pride, has redefined the entertainment industry, making domestic productions more competitive on the global stage.
Beyond China, “Ne Zha 2” has made significant strides in international markets, debuting in Australia, New Zealand, and North America, where it has received critical acclaim.
Sheila Sofian, a professor at the University of Southern California and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, praised the film’s production design, sound design, and music, stating that its universal themes resonate with audiences worldwide.
The film’s extraordinary box office performance has also contributed to a record-breaking 2025 Spring Festival holiday for China’s film industry, providing a much-needed boost after recent downturns.
As “Ne Zha 2” continues its unprecedented box office run, it stands as a symbol of China’s growing influence in global cinema, proving that homegrown stories can captivate audiences worldwide and compete with Hollywood’s biggest productions.
