'Ne Zha 2' Becomes First Non-Hollywood Film to Reach $1 Billion at Box Office
The Chinese animated hit "Ne Zha 2" has broken numerous box office records, marking a historic achievement as the first film to surpass $1 billion in a single market and the first non-Hollywood movie to enter the prestigious billion-dollar club.
TroibNews 
The Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has achieved remarkable success at the box office, setting several records as the first film to surpass $1 billion in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to enter the exclusive billion-dollar club.
As the sequel in the mythological franchise, "Ne Zha 2" has also achieved a new milestone for all-time admissions in China, attracting over 160 million viewers, according to ticketing platforms Maoyan and Beacon.
Directed by Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, the film premiered during the lucrative Chinese New Year period on January 29, overtaking 2017's "Wolf Warrior 2" to become China’s most-watched film. By the end of Sunday, its total earnings reached 8 billion yuan.
In a record time of just eight days and five hours post-release, "Ne Zha 2" became the highest-grossing film in China’s history on Thursday, surpassing the previous record of 5.77 billion yuan held by "The Battle at Lake Changjin." A day later, it outperformed "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" to log over 6.79 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing film ever in a single market.
Following the success of the original "Ne Zha," which garnered 5 billion yuan and topped box office charts in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, engaging storytelling, and deep cultural relevance.
The film's record-setting performance highlights its status not just as a box office powerhouse but also as a cultural milestone, showcasing China's capability of creating homegrown blockbusters that resonate with local audiences.
Industry experts are attentively monitoring whether "Ne Zha 2" can maintain its success and continue to establish new records in the coming days. Maoyan has recently updated its domestic box office forecast for the film, now predicting it will surpass 12 billion yuan, a significant increase from its earlier estimate of over 10.8 billion yuan just three days prior. This marks the first expectation for a Chinese film to cross the 10-billion-yuan line.
Continuing the adventures of the iconic character from Chinese mythology, the sequel picks up after the initial film, depicting Nezha and Aobing as their souls are rescued while their physical forms face disintegration. With the guidance of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who employs the Seven-Colored Lotus to restore their bodies, the duo encounters various trials.
"Ne Zha 2" offers an emotional experience, blending action, humor, and heartfelt moments, contributing significantly to a historic box office total of over 9.5 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday from January 28 to February 4.
This impressive showing is a significant win for China's film industry, which experienced a challenging year in 2024, with box office revenues declining by 23 percent compared to 2023 and 34 percent from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Within this challenging context, the extraordinary success of "Ne Zha 2" is seen as a much-needed revitalization for the industry.
Maoyan analyst Lai Li characterized the film as a pivotal moment, especially for the burgeoning animation sector in China. "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 2025 unfolds."
On an international scale, "Ne Zha 2" is anticipated to serve as a cultural bridge, providing global audiences with insights into China's rich mythology and traditions.
Jiaozi, who gained recognition following the success of "Ne Zha," underscored that the international appeal of Chinese cinema hinges on the intrinsic quality of the narratives. "It's about whether a script, a story and its characters can move audiences worldwide," he remarked in a video interview. "These are not things that can be outsourced."
He also reflected on his personal journey with the "Ne Zha" series, noting its evolution from his own passion to a widespread cultural phenomenon. "The first step was creating something I loved, and domestic audiences loved it too," he shared. "Over time, I've worked to improve it, to refine my craft. I believe that one day, new ideas, deeper meanings, and new soul will emerge from it, and the whole world will be able to appreciate it."
Film industry experts echoed his sentiments. Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, credited the film's success to its complex narrative layers. "The film's reimagining of mythology, with its portrayal of demon-spirit duality, conflicts between magical and celestial realms, and struggles between heaven and the underwater world, creates a dramatic tension that works on multiple levels," Yin told Xinhua.
"It captures universal themes of childhood development, forming an Oedipal archetype that bridges individual and societal narratives," Yin added, particularly commending the film's nuanced yet masterful storytelling.
Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, praised the film's blend of traditional Chinese mythology and contemporary storytelling, making it relatable to today's audiences. "The film proves that a good movie needs a compelling story, sharp storytelling, and well-developed characters," Rao stated, expressing hope that China will continue to deliver high-quality films that captivate audiences and draw more people to theaters.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
As the sequel in the mythological franchise, "Ne Zha 2" has also achieved a new milestone for all-time admissions in China, attracting over 160 million viewers, according to ticketing platforms Maoyan and Beacon.
Directed by Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, the film premiered during the lucrative Chinese New Year period on January 29, overtaking 2017's "Wolf Warrior 2" to become China’s most-watched film. By the end of Sunday, its total earnings reached 8 billion yuan.
In a record time of just eight days and five hours post-release, "Ne Zha 2" became the highest-grossing film in China’s history on Thursday, surpassing the previous record of 5.77 billion yuan held by "The Battle at Lake Changjin." A day later, it outperformed "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" to log over 6.79 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing film ever in a single market.
Following the success of the original "Ne Zha," which garnered 5 billion yuan and topped box office charts in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, engaging storytelling, and deep cultural relevance.
The film's record-setting performance highlights its status not just as a box office powerhouse but also as a cultural milestone, showcasing China's capability of creating homegrown blockbusters that resonate with local audiences.
Industry experts are attentively monitoring whether "Ne Zha 2" can maintain its success and continue to establish new records in the coming days. Maoyan has recently updated its domestic box office forecast for the film, now predicting it will surpass 12 billion yuan, a significant increase from its earlier estimate of over 10.8 billion yuan just three days prior. This marks the first expectation for a Chinese film to cross the 10-billion-yuan line.
Continuing the adventures of the iconic character from Chinese mythology, the sequel picks up after the initial film, depicting Nezha and Aobing as their souls are rescued while their physical forms face disintegration. With the guidance of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who employs the Seven-Colored Lotus to restore their bodies, the duo encounters various trials.
"Ne Zha 2" offers an emotional experience, blending action, humor, and heartfelt moments, contributing significantly to a historic box office total of over 9.5 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday from January 28 to February 4.
This impressive showing is a significant win for China's film industry, which experienced a challenging year in 2024, with box office revenues declining by 23 percent compared to 2023 and 34 percent from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Within this challenging context, the extraordinary success of "Ne Zha 2" is seen as a much-needed revitalization for the industry.
Maoyan analyst Lai Li characterized the film as a pivotal moment, especially for the burgeoning animation sector in China. "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 2025 unfolds."
On an international scale, "Ne Zha 2" is anticipated to serve as a cultural bridge, providing global audiences with insights into China's rich mythology and traditions.
Jiaozi, who gained recognition following the success of "Ne Zha," underscored that the international appeal of Chinese cinema hinges on the intrinsic quality of the narratives. "It's about whether a script, a story and its characters can move audiences worldwide," he remarked in a video interview. "These are not things that can be outsourced."
He also reflected on his personal journey with the "Ne Zha" series, noting its evolution from his own passion to a widespread cultural phenomenon. "The first step was creating something I loved, and domestic audiences loved it too," he shared. "Over time, I've worked to improve it, to refine my craft. I believe that one day, new ideas, deeper meanings, and new soul will emerge from it, and the whole world will be able to appreciate it."
Film industry experts echoed his sentiments. Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, credited the film's success to its complex narrative layers. "The film's reimagining of mythology, with its portrayal of demon-spirit duality, conflicts between magical and celestial realms, and struggles between heaven and the underwater world, creates a dramatic tension that works on multiple levels," Yin told Xinhua.
"It captures universal themes of childhood development, forming an Oedipal archetype that bridges individual and societal narratives," Yin added, particularly commending the film's nuanced yet masterful storytelling.
Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, praised the film's blend of traditional Chinese mythology and contemporary storytelling, making it relatable to today's audiences. "The film proves that a good movie needs a compelling story, sharp storytelling, and well-developed characters," Rao stated, expressing hope that China will continue to deliver high-quality films that captivate audiences and draw more people to theaters.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
