The Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has set a new record as the highest-grossing movie in China’s history, shattering box office milestones and highlighting the rapid growth of the country’s animation industry.
Inspired by a legendary mythological figure, the film has generated over 8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in ticket sales during the Lunar New Year holiday, as per ticketing platform Maoyan. This achievement surpasses the previous record set by The Battle of Lake Changjin (2021), a Korean War film that earned around $900 million.
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The massive success of Ne Zha 2 is being recognized as a turning point for China’s domestic film sector, which has struggled to compete with Hollywood despite its vast audience. The film is scheduled for an international release next week in the United States, Canada, and Australia, marking an important step in expanding Chinese animation worldwide.
For local audiences, Ne Zha 2 symbolizes a new era in Chinese animation, proving that domestically produced films can achieve global recognition.
“It not only showcases the rising strength of Chinese animation but also highlights the limitless potential of traditional mythology in a modern cinematic setting,” a review on IMDb stated.
Many viewers are optimistic that the film could further boost its earnings and even challenge Avatar (2009), the highest-grossing movie of all time.
A viral Weibo comment urged overseas Chinese audiences to support the film, stating, “Now it’s up to the Chinese diaspora to contribute.”
The Lunar New Year season is traditionally a peak period for China’s film industry, with total holiday box office earnings reaching $1.3 billion, reflecting a surge in consumer spending that authorities are keen to encourage.
Apart from its domestic triumph, Ne Zha 2 is the first film to exceed $1 billion in a single market, according to Deadline Hollywood.
The movie has received widespread acclaim for its engaging storyline and impressive visual effects. Fans have also been purchasing related merchandise, such as collectible character figurines, further boosting the film’s popularity.
Ne Zha 2 builds upon the success of its predecessor, 2019’s Ne Zha, which grossed over $725 million and remains one of China’s top-grossing films.
With its strong box office performance and upcoming global debut, Ne Zha 2 is set to further establish China’s influence in the global film industry.
