Chongqing - According to the data of Lighthouse professional edition, at 21:11 on Friday, the box office of the animated feature "Nezha 2" reached 6.792 billion yuan (931.86 million U.S. dollars), surpassing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and becoming the first place in the global single market box office list.

On February 5, the China Film Administration reported that the 2025 Chinese New Year box office (January 28–February 4) hit 9.51 billion yuan, with 187 million viewers, setting new records. By February 6, “Ne Zha 2” had grossed 5.78 billion yuan, becoming China’s highest-grossing film in just eight days and five hours.

International poster of "Ne Zha 2." (Photo/Douban)

The rise of Chinese animation

Chinese animated films have surged in popularity, with acclaimed works pushing storytelling and visual artistry. From “Ne Zha” to “Ne Zha 2,” and “Chang An” to “White Snake: Afloat,” domestic animation has made significant strides in technology, narrative depth, and emotional impact in recent years.

A sequel to the 2019 hit “Ne Zha,” “Ne Zha 2” took five years to develop with the original team. The first film grossed over 5 billion yuan, topping China’s box office that year. Determined to surpass his previous work, director Jiaozi insisted the team “give everything for the best results.” The sequel includes over 1,900 visual effects shots, exceeding the first film’s total shot count. Jiaozi stressed that cuts were made for runtime, not production limits.

Expanding its universe, the film introduces over 300 crafted characters, none directly reused from the first film. “We aimed for something visually striking and never-before-seen,” Jiaozi said.

During production, the team sought international studios for key visual effects but found the best results came from Chinese animators refining every detail. Director Jiaozi stressed that China’s cultural impact lies in its own stories, characters, and scripts—elements that cannot be outsourced.

“The five-year wait from ‘Ne Zha' to 'Ne Zha 2' was worth it!” Fans flooded social media, already calling for “Ne Zha 3.” Jiaozi admitted he had set up new challenges for a sequel but insisted on quality over speed.

As its momentum grows, projections now estimate a final box office of 9.5 billion yuan. A data analyst noted a surge in returning moviegoers aged 30-39, drawn back by the film’s strong word-of-mouth.

Chinese culture at the heart of animation

Beyond its breathtaking visual effects, “Ne Zha 2” weaves traditional Chinese culture into its character and scene designs. The mythical creatures in the film were carefully crafted to reflect both their unique species traits and traditional Chinese aesthetics.

Character designer Shen Wei incorporated classical Chinese motifs and artistic styles into the designs. “Western designs often favor straight lines, while Chinese aesthetics embrace curves, such as cloud and flame patterns,” he noted. “I incorporated these elements into the characters’ costumes and armor to enhance their distinct Eastern beauty.”

A moviegoer walks past film posters at a cinema in Jiaxing City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo/Jin Peng, Xinhua)

Producer Liu Wenzhang emphasized that the rise of Chinese animation is deeply rooted in cultural storytelling. By blending traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary animation, creators are exploring new artistic possibilities and revitalizing classical literary treasures. However, adapting literary classics for modern audiences remains a challenging endeavor, requiring both creativity and deep respect for the source material.

“Art is never created in a vacuum,” Jiaozi added. “Our work is nourished by the cultural landscape around us. By drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese culture and blending it with our own experiences, we bring to life the Ne Zha that we envision.”

Global excitement and international box office potential

Following its record-breaking success in China, “Ne Zha 2” is set to make history globally. By February 6, its domestic earnings surpassed “Avengers: Endgame” in North America, ranking second in the global single-market box office. By Friday morning, it was just 5 billion yuan away from overtaking “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” for the top spot.  Friday night witnessed its first place in the global single market box office list by surpassing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

The film’s highly anticipated international release kicks off in North America on February 14, with tickets selling out in several cities, prompting midnight screenings in New York and Los Angeles. On IMDb, it holds a strong 8.1/10 rating ahead of release.

Industry analysts see “Ne Zha 2” reshaping perceptions of Chinese animation. The Hollywood Reporter praised its world-class visuals and compelling storytelling, while Reuters highlighted its immense box office appeal and growing influence of Chinese IPs. Variety emphasized its blend of ancient mythology and modern themes, noting that Ne Zha’s rebellion against fate resonates globally.

IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond added, “Blockbusters are back in China, in a bigger way than even the most optimistic among us could've imagined.” As “Ne Zha 2” continues its meteoric rise, it stands as a landmark achievement in Chinese storytelling and animation.