'Ne Zha 2' breaks box office records, sells out in US theaters

A poster for Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” is seen in a movie theater in Shenyang, Liaoning Province on Feb. 6. Photos by Xinhua unless otherwise stated

The Chinese animated film “Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea,” or “Ne Zha 2,” has taken the global box office by storm, securing a spot in the top 35 highest-grossing films of all time.

As of Sunday, just 12 days after its release, the film's daily earnings exceeded US$10 million, pushing its total global revenue — including pre-sales — to an impressive US$1.12 billion. This remarkable achievement has propelled “Ne Zha 2” past “The Dark Knight Rises,” placing it among the top 10 highest-grossing animated films worldwide and marking it as the first non-Hollywood animation to reach such a milestone.

In China, the film has drawn over 160 million viewers (including pre-sales), surpassing the record set by “Wolf Warrior 2” to become the most-watched film in Chinese cinema history. 

Industry analysts predict that “Ne Zha 2” could ultimately earn 10.87 billion yuan (US$1.5 billion), potentially overtaking “Frozen 2” as the second-highest-grossing animated film globally and securing the 13th spot on the all-time global box office chart, just behind “Furious 7.”

The film's success goes beyond Chinese audiences. “Ne Zha 2” is set to premiere in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea on Feb. 13, followed by releases in the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 14. The film will also be screened in Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, and other countries and regions.

Promotional posters for "Ne Zha 2" are seen in the Times Square subway station in New York City, U.S. Photo from dingxinwen.cn

In the U.S., demand for the film has been overwhelming. The 21st Century Herald newspaper reported today that many theaters in the U.S. have sold out pre-sale tickets for early screenings Feb. 12, even before its official release date. The film's promotional campaign has extended to social media and iconic locations such as New York's Times Square, where advertisements for “Ne Zha 2” are prominently displayed.

"The release date was moved up, and everyone is scrambling to get tickets. The premiere day is almost fully booked, with only front-row seats left," a Chinese-American resident in New York, who goes by the pseudonym Lu Sang, told the newspaper.

Many Chinese-Americans have been eagerly anticipating the film due to its extensive online promotion. The U.S. screenings will feature original Chinese voice acting paired with English subtitles, appealing not only to the Chinese community but also to Americans eager to explore Chinese culture, Lu said.

“Ne Zha 2" holds its North American premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Feb. 8, drawing hundreds of fans and industry professionals from China and the U.S.

The film’s global appeal was further showcased at its premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Feb. 8, which garnered a standing ovation from an audience of enthusiastic international fans and Chinese expatriates.

In response to surging demand, U.S. theaters are adding extra screenings, including IMAX previews Feb. 12.

The excitement surrounding “Ne Zha 2” isn't limited to the U.S., Canada has also seen an impressive response. In several theaters across the country, tickets have sold out, with screenings fully booked through Feb. 13.

Attendees hold up a movie poster at the North American premiere of "Ne Zha 2" in Los Angeles on Feb. 8.

The film’s storytelling and high-quality visuals have garnered praise not only from Chinese viewers but also from international audiences, who said that "the special effects are incredible, and the story resonates on a deep emotional level. Even if you're not familiar with Chinese culture, you can still connect with the characters and their struggles.”

Hollywood producer Robert King hailed “Ne Zha 2” as "blockbuster-level animation" and recognized the significant strides Chinese cinema has made in storytelling. He hopes for more collaborations between Hollywood and Chinese filmmakers, as well as more opportunities for Chinese films to reach North American audiences.

With its record-breaking success and international acclaim, “Ne Zha 2” has firmly established itself as a cultural phenomenon, effectively bridging East and West through the art of animation and storytelling.