In an era when Western media dominates the entertainment industry, a Chinese film has just surpassed a new milestone.Ne Zha 2has officially become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, a recordpreviously held byInside Out 2. Following its release in 2024, the Pixar sequel captivated fans with an incredible theatrical experience, with a storyline that resonates with both children and adults and grossed $1.69 billion worldwide.Ne Zha 2, meanwhile, was written and directed by Yu Yang, and is a follow-up to the 2019 filmNe Zha, which was loosely based on Xu Zhonglin’s novelInvestiture of the Gods.
The sequel premiered in China on July 22, 2025, before finding its way to limited theaters in the United States on Feb.14. With a budget of 600 million yuan (about $80 million),the film has already made $1.73 billion globally, topping the post-Lunar New Year box office. Meanwhile, its predecessorNe Zhahad a budget of $22 million and grossed $742 million upon its debut in 2019, becoming China’s fifth highest-grossing film. Now, as well asshattering global box office recordsand dominating internationally. Furthermore,Ne Zha 2has also become the fastest-grossing animated feature, surpassingInside Out 2’s record in the span of just three weeks.
Ne Zha 2is currently ranked #8 on the list of all-time highest-grossing filmsand is still drawing large crowds to theaters. Projections estimate that it could surpass the $2 billion mark, therebydethroningSpider-Man: No Way Hometo take the seventh spot, closely trailingAvengers: Infinity WarandStar Wars: The Force Awakens. Reportedly,Ne Zha 2has been given an extended run in Chinaand is expected to stay in theaters until March 30, so the milestone of $2 billion is far from an overly ambitious prediction. The fantasy sequel film is also officially the first to cross $1 billion in 2025, an achievement typically reserved for summer blockbusters, making it a surprising start to the year.
What Made ‘Ne Zha 2’ a Box Office Phenomenon?
It’s not very often that we see a Chinese film dominating the global box office, so it’s quite surprising thatNe Zhahas accomplished what many live-action and animated films can only hope for. While China has a long tradition of producing fantasy movies and shows, other factors have contributed to its unprecedented commercial success.
Best Chinese Movies of the 21st Century (So Far), Ranked
For film fans from all over the world, Chinese cinema has consistently provided satisfaction. Here’s list of the best from the 2000s.
According to the CEO of IMAX China, Daniel Manwaring, the country was essentially"late to the post-COVID world.“In other words, many major productions were delayed until 2023, creating a stockpile of highly anticipated films. The release ofNe Zha 2over the Chinese New Year further improved its box office supremacy,as families crowded screensacross the country. Having said that,Ne Zhahas now become a phenomenal franchise and the sequel has proven that it can be sustained for a long time. WithNe Zha 2continuing its strong theatrical run, do you think it will gross $2 billion worldwide?
