Ne Zha 2 Becomes the Highest-Grossing Film in China with $791.3 Million in Just Nine Days

How "Ne Zha 2" Became China's Biggest Blockbuster and Redefined the Future of Animation

A Cultural Phenomenon in the Making

Imagine this: A sequel to a beloved animated film not only shatters every conceivable box office record but also signals a seismic shift in an entire industry. That’s exactly what Ne Zha 2: The Devil Boy Stirs Up the Sea has done in China. The film, a follow-up to the 2019 hit Ne Zha: The Devil’s Birth, has redefined expectations for domestic animation, proving that high-quality storytelling and technical excellence can triumph over celebrity-driven marketing.

By its ninth day in theaters, Ne Zha 2 had surpassed the all-time Chinese box office record, dethroning The Battle at Lake Changjin and Wolf Warrior 2 with $791.3 Million box office. And this might just be the beginning of a new era for Chinese animation.

Breaking Records at Breakneck Speed

Numbers don’t lie, and Ne Zha 2 is rewriting history with its staggering box office performance:

Highest-grossing film in Chinese history – Achieving 57.75 billion yuan ($791.3 Million) box office within just nine days.
Fastest to reach 57 billion yuan, maintaining an unprecedented 6 billion yuan daily box office streak for five days.
Projected to hit 90-100 billion yuan, potentially becoming China’s first film to surpass 100 billion yuan in box office revenue.
Likely to break global records – On track to hit $1 billion worldwide, proving Chinese animation can compete internationally.

This isn't just a movie—it's a phenomenon that is reshaping audience expectations and industry dynamics.

The Power Behind the Magic: A 5.5-Year Production Odyssey

Great things take time, and Ne Zha 2 is the result of an industry-wide collaboration that took 5.5 years to complete, involving 4,000 animation professionals and multiple leading Chinese animation studios. Some notable contributors include:

Base FX – Took over work from international teams, showcasing China's growing animation expertise.
Method Studios, Original Force Animation, Fantawild Animation, and Colored Glaze Technology – Pioneered cutting-edge visual techniques and special effects.
Over 2,427 shots and 1,400 special effects sequences, making it one of the most visually ambitious Chinese animated films ever made.

This dedication to craftsmanship, rather than reliance on big-name actors or marketing gimmicks, is proving to be the real key to success.

A Game-Changer for the Business of Animation

The financial impact of Ne Zha 2 extends beyond ticket sales. The film's success has sent shockwaves through China’s media industry, particularly for its major stakeholder, Enlight Media:

Stock price surged 41.66% post-release.
Market value increased by over 10 billion yuan overnight.
Revenue from the first seven days (9.5-10.1 billion yuan) exceeded the company's entire 2022 annual revenue.

However, the film’s breakout success has also exposed a darker side of the industry—piracy. Even as official merchandise remains in crowdfunding stages, counterfeit products have flooded the market, with nearly 100 unauthorized stores selling pirated goods. This raises pressing concerns about China’s IP protection in an era where homegrown cultural IPs are becoming global contenders.

Why Audiences Love Ne Zha 2

What makes Ne Zha 2 resonate so deeply with audiences? It’s not just the dazzling animation or action-packed sequences—it's the film’s ability to balance humor, emotion, and social commentary in a way that feels both deeply Chinese and universally relatable.

1. Humor That Works for Everyone

Some critics dismissed the film’s humor as "lowbrow," but audiences disagree. The comedy is not just for laughs—it serves the story. A prime example? The Jade Void Palace scene, where humor exposes hypocrisy in authority figures, reinforcing the film’s broader themes of rebellion and self-determination.

2. A Revival of Theatrical Magic

Many assumed China’s movie industry was in decline, but Ne Zha 2 proves otherwise:

Quality, not just hype, drives attendance. The film succeeded in both first-tier cities and lower-tier markets, disproving the myth that only star-studded blockbusters can draw crowds.
Seasonal moviegoers returned. Many casual viewers who rarely go to theaters were pulled back by Ne Zha 2’s universal appeal.
Families and repeat viewers. It’s not just kids watching—adults are going back multiple times, demonstrating animation’s potential beyond the children’s market.

3. A Symbol of China’s Growing Cultural Confidence

Chinese animation has long been in the shadow of Hollywood and Japanese anime. But Ne Zha 2 proves that high-quality domestic productions can stand on their own:

A modernized take on traditional mythology that resonates with contemporary audiences.
A new cultural IP with international potential, laying the groundwork for future global expansion.
A shift from outsourcing to homegrown innovation, as Chinese studios take full control of technical execution.

What This Means for the Future of Chinese Animation

The film’s success is more than just a financial win—it’s a blueprint for the future of Chinese animation:

Star power is no longer king. Audiences are prioritizing compelling storytelling and production quality over celebrity voice casts.
Long-term investment pays off. Instead of rushing projects for quick profits, studios may start prioritizing multi-year development cycles.
The global stage is within reach. If Ne Zha 2 crosses $1 billion worldwide, it could reshape perceptions of Chinese animation in international markets.

The Final Takeaway: A New Dawn for Chinese Animation

Ne Zha 2 is not just breaking records—it’s breaking barriers. It’s proving that animation is not just for children, that Chinese films can stand tall globally, and that patience and quality trump marketing gimmicks.

The question now is: Will China continue investing in high-quality animation to build a sustainable industry, or will this be an outlier? One thing’s for sure—Hollywood and Japan should be paying close attention.