Chongqing - The English-dubbed version of “Ne Zha 2” opened in North America on August 22, taking in $1.55 million in its first three days. Distributed by A24, the film has also been released in Australia, New Zealand, and other markets, according to NBC.

The official poster of "Ne Zha 2" in America. (Photo/Douban)

The Chinese blockbuster, adapted from classic mythology, is already the highest-grossing animated film worldwide with global box office earnings of about $2.2 billion. After watching the original in Hong Kong, oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who joined the English voice cast, said she immediately recognized the need for a dubbed version. “Some of the breathtaking visual effects moved too quickly to follow with subtitles,” she recalled. When later invited to voice Lady Yin, Ne Zha’s mother, she agreed without hesitation, calling the film “a perfect bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.”

At the film’s New York premiere, Yeoh told the Associated Press, “Its emotions are universal—about family, love, the marginalized, and those rejected simply for being different.”

In North America, the English-language release expanded to 2,228 theaters, far wider than the 945 that carried the original Mandarin version earlier this year. According to Box Office Mojo, its re-release surpassed the opening weekends of “The Lion King” and “Shrek 2” reissues, pushing its cumulative North American box office to $22.4 million.

Actor Daniel Wu also voiced his support in a lengthy social media post. “When the original Chinese version of ‘Ne Zha 2’ premiered in January, it shattered records,” he wrote. “As a longtime fan of the first film, I was amazed at how the sequel raised the bar in both storytelling and animation. I was moved to tears. ‘Ne Zha 2’ is not only a technical marvel but also a profoundly emotional story. I’ve witnessed firsthand the rise of China’s film industry.”

With its strong overseas reception and high-profile endorsements, “Ne Zha 2” continues to build momentum as a landmark in global animation.