$2 Billion Chinese Animated Film Set to Outshine Avatar and Endgame

Summary

Ne Zha 2 has earned over $2 billion, making it the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time.
The movie’s success marks the Chinese animation industry’s global arrival and its capability to challenge major studios.
Ne Zha 2’s authenticity in representing Chinese mythology, along with its impressive animation, contributes to its massive popularity.

The lesser-known Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” might not resonate with global mainstream viewers, but it’s made quite an impact, ranking among the highest-earning films of all time. It has amassed more than $2 billion in revenue, surpassing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to claim the fifth spot on the list of highest box office earnings.

Under the direction of self-taught animator Jiaozi, the movie titled “Ne Zha 2” was premiered on January 29, 2025, coinciding with Lunar New Year, China’s most significant holiday that spans over a fortnight. This animated film is regarded as China’s animation industry stepping into the global limelight. It demonstrates their capability not only to compete but also surpass established studios such as Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks in the animation domain.

Ne Zha 2 Breaks Global Box Office Records

Chinese Animation Movie Dethrones Inside Out 2

In a remarkable turn of events, “Ne Zha 2” has etched its name into history by amassing an impressive RMB 14.8 billion ($2.06 billion) in China’s box office, according to Variety and Maoyan Entertainment. Meanwhile, its primary competitor, “Captain America: Brave New World,” was generally viewed as ordinary, making the dominance of “Ne Zha 2” at the box office unsurprising. With a production budget of $80 million, it is now the most costly Chinese animated film ever produced. However, the investment has proven to be fruitful, as the movie has earned more than 25 times its production cost. It has shattered several records, including:

1. The highest-grossing film in China’s history
2. The highest-earning Chinese animated film of all time
3. The film with the highest earnings in relation to its budget (more than 25 times)
4. Etc. (You can add more specific records it has broken if you have that information.)

Highest-grossing animated movie of all time (prev. Inside Out 2)
Highest-grossing Chinese movie ever (prev. The Battle at Lake Changjin)
Fifth highest-grossing movie of all time (prev. Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

Who Or What Is Ne Zha?

The Churning of the Sea 2″ (or simply Ne Zha 2) is a follow-up to the 2019 film “Nezha.” Ne Zha is a mythical figure in Chinese folklore, usually depicted as a mischievous and misunderstood deity. His story is predominantly found in “The Investiture of the Gods” by Xu Zhonglin, which is the primary source for these films. Ne Zha’s story has been retold numerous times, with one of the most recognized adaptations being the 1979 film “Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King.” The character holds significant cultural importance in China, featuring in various movies, video games, and other media.

Is There A Ne Zha 1?

The animation studio Chengdu Coco Cartoon breathed life into the tale of Ne Zha in three dimensions through their 2019 production, “Ne Zha“. This movie found inspiration from Pixar and DreamWorks, possibly spurred by the tremendous success of “Kung Fu Panda” in China. However, it steered clear of being a mere imitation and instead became an enormous box-office sensation. It raked in $742 million against a budget of just $22 million, placing it as the fourth highest-grossing Chinese film to date. Predictably, like in Hollywood, a sequel was forthcoming.

Why Was Ne Zha 2 So Expensive?

The second installment required five years to produce, similar to its predecessor. Interestingly, its production budget escalated from $20 million to a whopping $80 million. This increase is evident in the final product. Boasting three times as many characters, the movie has a grander and more intense feel. A memorable scene involves an enormous battle in a village against a horde of demons, with these supernatural creatures actually falling from the heavens. The director disclosed to CCTV (through CNN) that he initially sought aid from international teams for crucial scenes, but their contributions fell short of his standards.

Although this studio is renowned for its high-quality work, it seems they may have assigned subpar personnel to our project. Consequently, when we delegated certain tasks, the results fell short of our expectations, leading us to bring those duties back in-house.

This animated movie project was a colossal endeavor, involving more than 4,000 Chinese animators who worked tirelessly on the film. Their efforts were divided among 138 animation studios, and it’s said that a single intricate sequence in the third act took an entire year to perfect. When Ne Zha 2 made its debut, the interest was so overwhelming that tickets became scarce. Theaters added additional screenings, even scheduling some just minutes apart, but even late-night shows were sold out. The timing of the Lunar New Year undoubtedly contributed to this success as well.

What Is Ne Zha 2 About?

The initial film revolves around an influential artifact, the orb, which is divided into two: the virtuous Spirit Sphere and the accursed Demon Orb. While the Spirit Sphere was destined to be reborn as a hero, a covetous follower seizes it, bestowing it upon a dragon ruler instead. In contrast, Ne Zha springs forth from the Demon Orb. Despite his ominous destiny, his parents endeavor to nurture him with affection. As he matures, he becomes a wild and dreaded figure, but then forms an alliance with Ao Bing, who is the reincarnation of the Spirit Sphere. Ultimately, he accepts his parents’ love and unites with Ao Bing to shield their village from a dragon assault.

The sequel, titled Ne Zha 2, carries on immediately from where the original film ended. Given that Ne Zha and Ao Bing lose their physical forms in the final moments of the first movie, Taiyi Zhenren constructs a new body for Ne Zha. Regrettably, Ao Bing is annihilated while safeguarding his companions. In an attempt to restore Ao Bing, Ne Zha embarks on a mission to discover a potent artifact. Simultaneously, the dragons persist in their plan to break free from the Dragon Palace, and Immortal Daoist Wang along with his demon hunters conceal their own clandestine plots.

What Made Ne Zha 2 Such A Big Hit?

The movie mirrors the approach taken by series such as Jackie Chan Adventures, which introduces Western viewers to Chinese folklore, albeit not always precisely. In contrast, Ne Zha 2 offers a more authentic portrayal, incorporating modern elements. For individuals keen on genuine East Asian mythology, it serves as an excellent entry point. The animation stands out, blending classical Chinese art forms with smooth motion, and certain scenes surpass the quality of Pixar or DreamWorks despite having a significantly lower budget. This enhancement elevates the action sequences, filled with martial arts and sorcery, making them even more spectacular.

The movie “Ne Zha 2” is close to overtaking the box office records set by films like “Avatar”, “Avatar: The Way of Water”, “Avengers: Endgame”, and “Titanic”. Some viewers believe it could benefit from being shorter, as its length is a point of contention for some fans. However, its grandeur and vigor effectively mask any shortcomings. The movie initially had a limited release outside of China in mid-February, but if its success continues to grow, this Chinese animated blockbuster may soon outshine Hollywood’s top-grossing films.

2025-03-20 21:00