Ne Zha 2: The Chinese Animated Blockbuster That Shattered Global Records

An unruly Chinese boy who battles dragons and defies destiny has stormed Western cinema screens after dominating the Chinese box office.

Ne Zha 2, an animated spectacle loosely based on Chinese mythology, has set a new global benchmark, becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time in a single market. Since its release on January 29, it has amassed an astonishing $1.4 billion in ticket sales in China alone, far surpassing the previous record held by Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which earned $936 million in the United States and Canada in 2015. It is also the first non-Hollywood film to break into the all-time global top 20 highest-grossing films.

The phenomenal success of Ne Zha 2—a rare bright spot in China’s otherwise struggling box office—has ignited national pride, with audiences, state media, and officials celebrating this cinematic milestone.

China’s Box Office Revolution

For decades, Hollywood blockbusters dominated China’s movie market. However, in recent years, homegrown films across various genres—action, sci-fi, romance, and animation—have increasingly outperformed their Western counterparts. This shift is driven by rising cultural pride, more sophisticated storytelling, and cutting-edge technology.

As censorship tightens and geopolitical tensions with the United States escalate, Hollywood has found it increasingly difficult to navigate the political landscape of the Chinese market. Meanwhile, China’s domestic film industry has seized the opportunity, producing visually stunning and culturally resonant films that captivate audiences.

A Winning Formula

Rooted in traditional Chinese folklore yet enhanced with state-of-the-art special effects, Ne Zha 2 has proven to be a winning formula. Many Chinese filmmakers and audiences believe that if they can produce high-quality adaptations of their own legends, there is no need to rely on Western studios to tell Chinese stories.

Following its record-breaking success in China, Ne Zha 2 has expanded overseas, with releases in Australia, New Zealand, and North America. The film became an instant hit among the Chinese diaspora, with fans eagerly pre-booking tickets and lining up for sold-out premieres.

“Even those who weren’t previously interested in anime, like me, were drawn to this movie because of the enthusiasm and glowing reviews in China,” said Summer Wang, a data analyst who attended the Los Angeles premiere.

Stephanie Zhan, a jewelry sales manager in Sydney, battled a severe thunderstorm just to watch Ne Zha 2. “It had a complete story arc with nuanced emotions, funny moments, and spectacular fight scenes—on par with the epic battles in The Avengers,” she said. “It was truly impressive. I feel hopeful about domestic films now.”

Why Ne Zha 2 Became a Smash Hit

A sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Ne Zha, the film had all the elements for success. Released at the start of the Lunar New Year, a peak movie-going season in China, it faced little competition.

Drawing inspiration from a 16th-century novel, the film presents characters familiar to Chinese audiences but reimagined to appeal to younger generations. According to Xiaoning Lu, an expert on Chinese cinema at SOAS University of London, Ne Zha 2 succeeds by combining advanced animation technology with compelling storytelling. “It’s family-friendly, fun, and has a rebellious spirit,” Lu said. “It’s a mix of different elements that came together perfectly.”

The film’s protagonist, Ne Zha, is a mischievous and “ugly cute” child born with a demonic fate and extraordinary powers. He dares to challenge celestial authority and confront gods who manipulate power for their own gain.

“The film’s themes resonate with audiences worldwide, addressing issues such as defying authority, the search for identity, family love, and friendship,” said Sabrina Qiong Yu, a professor of Chinese studies at Newcastle University. “It’s like a shot of excitement in today’s uncertain world.”

A Cultural and Political Phenomenon

Beyond entertainment, Ne Zha 2 has sparked political interpretations. Some nationalist viewers believe the film contains hidden messages mocking the United States, pointing to objects resembling US dollar signs, the Great Seal of the United States, the Pentagon, and even the coronavirus. While not universally agreed upon, these elements may have contributed to the film’s massive domestic success.

Chinese blockbusters have increasingly capitalized on rising nationalist sentiment. Government-backed war films like The Battle at Lake Changjin and Wolf Warrior 2 have topped China’s box office in previous years, reinforcing patriotic narratives.

The Triumph of China’s Animation Industry

As Ne Zha 2 shattered box office records, it became a symbol of China’s burgeoning animation industry. The film was produced entirely in China, involving 138 animation companies and over 4,000 crew members.

Director Yang Yu, a former medical student turned animation filmmaker, initially sought international studios for key scenes but was disappointed with the results. “They might be a top-tier studio, but they could be using third-rate staff for our project,” Yang told state broadcaster CCTV. “After outsourcing, many shots didn’t meet expectations, so we brought them back.”

While Yang acknowledges that Chinese studios are still catching up with top Western counterparts in technology and production processes, the gap is closing rapidly.

China’s animation industry has come a long way. In a market where audiences grew up watching Disney, Pixar, and Studio Ghibli, a new wave of Chinese animated films celebrating traditional culture is gaining momentum. This trend extends beyond cinema—last year, Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese video game inspired by Journey to the West, became an international bestseller.

Can Ne Zha 2 Conquer the Global Market?

As Ne Zha 2 continues its international rollout, Chinese moviegoers have rallied to support it, urging others to watch it multiple times. On social media, fans compared the film’s rise through the global box office rankings to “raising the national flag.”

On Thursday night, Ne Zha 2 hit a landmark 100 billion yuan ($13.7 billion) in ticket sales, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie to become the third-highest-grossing animated film ever, just behind Frozen 2.

State media and Chinese officials have praised Ne Zha 2 as a shining example of China’s growing “cultural confidence.” China’s ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, promoted the film on social media and in speeches, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called it “a new bridge for cultural exchanges between China and the world.”

However, breaking into the global market remains a challenge. Ne Zha 2 now faces competition from the newly released Captain America: Brave New World, and outside the Chinese diaspora, it may struggle to resonate with Western audiences.

“I don’t see it achieving the same cultural breakthrough as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon did at the start of this century,” said Yu from Newcastle University. “But I could be wrong. Good luck to its overseas release.”