A moviegoer checks out a poster for Ne Zha 2 at a cinema in Beijing. DU LIANYI/CHINA DAILY
BEIJING: Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has shattered multiple box office records, becoming the first film to cross US$1bil in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.
The sophomore outing in the mythological franchise has also set a new record for all-time admissions in China, drawing over 160 million moviegoers, per data from ticketing platforms Maoyan and Beacon.
Helmed by Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, the film hit the big screen during the lucrative Chinese New Year timeframe on Jan 29, surpassing 2017’s Wolf Warrior 2 to become China’s most-watched film.
Meanwhile, its total revenue (including presales) hit eight billion yuan or about US$1.09bil by last Sunday.
In just eight days and five hours after its release, Ne Zha 2 became China’s highest- grossing film of all time last Thursday, exceeding the 5.77 billion yuan record set by The Battle at Lake Changjin.
A day later, it overtook Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the highest-grossing film ever in a single market, reaching over 6.79 billion yuan in China last Friday.
A follow-up to the animated sensation Ne Zha, which grossed five billion yuan and topped the country’s box office charts in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals, rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance.
The record-breaking run makes Ne Zha 2 not just a box office titan but a cultural phenomenon, underscoring China’s ability to produce homegrown blockbusters that strike a chord with domestic audiences.
Industry analysts are now watching closely to see if Ne Zha 2 can sustain its momentum and set even higher benchmarks in the days ahead.
Maoyan last Sunday night once again raised its domestic box office forecast for the film, now projecting it to surpass 12 billion yuan – up from its estimate of over 10.8 billion yuan just three days ago.
This marks the first time a Chinese film has ever been expected to cross the 10-billion-yuan threshold.
The sequel continues the story of the iconic character from Chinese mythology.
Set after the events of the first film, it follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution.
With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Coloured Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.
Taking audiences on an emotional journey that blends action, humour and heart, Ne Zha 2 alone accounted for half of what has amounted to a historic 2025 Spring Festival holiday box office total – a total which surpassed 9.5 billion yuan from Jan 28 to Feb 4.
This robust performance marks a major win for China’s film industry, which faced a tough year in 2024, with box office revenues down 23% from 2023 and 34% from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
In this context, the record-breaking success of Ne Zha 2 is being hailed as a much-needed boost for the sector.
Maoyan analyst Lai Li described the film as a major milestone, particularly for China’s growing animation industry.
“The success of Ne Zha 2 has set the tone for the year,” Lai said. “It highlights the incredible resilience and growth potential of China’s film market, and we’re excited to see how the rest of this year unfolds.”
Beyond its domestic success, Ne Zha 2 is poised to make waves internationally as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences a glimpse into China’s rich mythology and traditions. — Xinhua
