Chinese animation superhit 鈥楴e Zha 2鈥 set to conquer the world
Print Edition
鈥淣e Zha 2,鈥 the animated blockbuster that has dominated China鈥檚 box office, is making waves beyond its home market.
Released during the recent Spring Festival, according to data from the live tracker by Beacon Professional Edition, the total box office (including pre-sales) of 鈥淣e Zha 2鈥 has surpassed US$1.131 billion, outperforming 鈥淐aptain Marvel鈥 and entering the top 33 of the all-time global box office rankings.
Directed by Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, the film builds on the success of its 2019 predecessor, which earned over 5 billion yuan globally.
鈥淣e Zha 2鈥 will open in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea on February 13, followed by debuts in the United States and Canada on February 14. Additional releases are planned in Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan, Japan and South Korea.
The sequel鈥檚 impressive performance is the result of a mix of cutting-edge animation, strong storytelling and strategic timing.
The protagonist, Ne Zha, a rebellious god-child, battles sea monsters to protect his world in a plot that resonates with young audiences with its exploration of self-identity and fighting societal labels.
Cheng Bo, executive dean of the Shanghai University鈥檚 Vancouver Film Academy, said the film鈥檚 special effects are a key factor in its success.
鈥溾楴e Zha 2鈥 has over 1,900 special-effects shots, creating a visual experience that attracts viewers,鈥 he said, adding that the film highlights how new technologies can support and drive large-scale films.
Emotional appeal is another critical factor. The film offers a modern take on traditional Chinese themes.
Director Jiaozi explained that the character鈥檚 transformation in the film represents the power of self-acceptance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about facing societal judgment and finding confidence in who you are,鈥 he said.
Gong Jinping, a professor at Fudan University, said the film works both for children who enjoy the spectacle and adults drawn to its deep reflections on life. This skill in blending action and psychological insight attracts a wide audience, he added.
The film鈥檚 release during the annual Spring Festival holiday, one of China鈥檚 most profitable movie seasons, also played a role in its box office success.
Liu Chun, a film analyst at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, explained that the film鈥檚 timing, combined with strong word-of-mouth reviews, created a 鈥渟ynergy effect.鈥
The Lunar New Year festival often generates record earnings. In 2025, the revenue hit 12 billion yuan (US$1.64 billion), with 鈥淣e Zha 2鈥 accounting for over half of the total.
鈥溾楴e Zha 2鈥 has the level of quality that rivals Hollywood and Japanese animated films, which is a confidence booster to Chinese filmmakers,鈥 said Liu.
The film has driven a surge in merchandise sales, with blind boxes and action figures based on the film selling out online and in stores.
At Pop Mart鈥檚 Shanghai flagship, Ne Zha blind boxes sold out within three days. Online, Taobao sold over 60,000 blind boxes at 69 yuan each before advising they were 鈥渟old out.鈥
Anticipation that the film will make a big splash overseas is running high. Presales tickets have sold out in some US cities, and some theaters in New York and Los Angeles have added late-night showings to meet demand.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect tickets to sell this fast,鈥 said a Chinese expatriate surnamed Wang in New York. 鈥淏y the time I checked, only a few front-row seats were left. I had to buy separate seats for me and a friend.鈥
On social media, netizens in Thailand, the Philippines and India are asking when the film will be released in their countries.
鈥淚 wish there was an Arabic translation. This movie looks awesome,鈥 said another online post.
In Canada, fashion photographer Brayden said the film has sparked interest beyond the Chinese community.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 speak Mandarin, but the posters alone caught my attention,鈥 he said.
鈥淭he artwork is stunning. I鈥檇 love to learn more about the mythology behind the film.鈥
Ne Zha, a protection deity, appears in Chinese classic novels such as 鈥淚nvestiture of the Gods鈥 and 鈥淛ourney to the West.鈥 According to various versions of folklore, he wears a red sash and carries a fire-tipped spear, flies around swiftly on his wind fire wheels, battles powerful demons and assists in a war against the Shang Dynasty. He has also been depicted in TV series and video games.
Chinese animated films hitting it big in Western markets always face the challenge of cultural differences and audience preferences.
鈥淭he Wandering Earth鈥 (2019), one of China鈥檚 highest-grossing sci-fi films, earned US$700 million domestically but made only US$5 million in the US, despite a Netflix distribution deal.
Industry experts cite cultural differences, limited marketing, and competition from Hollywood studios as key barriers.
鈥淐hina鈥檚 film industry has grown significantly, but the challenge remains: how to effectively tell Chinese stories to a global audience,鈥 said Jin Bin, a professor at the Communication University of China.
Still, 鈥淣e Zha 2鈥 has received positive feedback from international critics. 鈥淰ariety,鈥 a leading American entertainment trade magazine and website, called the film 鈥渧isually stunning鈥 and praised its mix of Chinese mythology with modern animation techniques.
Yu Zhixin, an executive producer for 鈥淣e Zha 2,鈥 said all the hoopla surrounding the film bodes well for the future of Chinese animation.
鈥溾楴e Zha 2鈥 represents a big step forward for Chinese animation,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t shows that we can create works that compete on the world stage, and it will inspire more talented people to join the industry.鈥
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