Ne Zha 2: A global hit breaking new boundaries

By Guangming Daily Reporter Yan Congxiao

As of February 18, the Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2: The Uprising” has surpassed 12.3 billion yuan in total box office, making the animation one of the top 8 global hits. The film has also overtaken “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, setting a new record for the highest single-market box office in history, and also marking an epic milestone in Chinese cinema.

“It not only demonstrates the powerful rise of Chinese animation but also precipitates the boundless potential of Chinese traditional mythology in a modern context,” said an overseas viewer on IMDb. While “Ne Zha 2” has achieved remarkable success at home, it has also garnered significant international attention.

On February 14 when “Ne Zha 2” made its North American debut, it earned $3.1 million on the opening day, ranking fourth on the North American box office charts and setting a new first-day box office record for Chinese films in the region. During its preview screenings from February 10-12 in Australia and New Zealand, cinemas in Australia recorded an impressive average occupancy rate of 82.5%, while New Zealand’s reached 88.6%. By February 17, the film’s IMDb rating had soared from 8.1 to 8.4, with a 99% “Tomatometer” score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its immense popularity among global audiences. Many international viewers took to social media to share their reviews, with some even mimicking the iconic line “I am the master of my destiny” in Chinese.

Born from the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, “Ne Zha 2” incorporates modern elements into its storyline and characters. Ne Zha is portrayed as a rebellious and confused teenager, yet also as someone deeply yearning for family and friendship. A Korean viewer commented, “The film is an immersive journey of a hero, with clever plot twists and contrasts. Watching it feels like entering into another world.”

Drawing inspiration from elements such as Sanxingdui bronze artifacts, Chinese opera gestures, and various regional dialects, the film seamlessly blends these cultural aspects with cutting-edge modern filmmaking techniques, turning “Ne Zha 2” into a visual feast. This allows international audiences to not only enjoy an engaging story but also appreciate the depth of Chinese culture and the evolution of Chinese cinematic technology. A YouTube film critic commented, “The special effects are stunning! Every detail of the magical combat scenes is exquisitely crafted.”

“The technical advancements in Chinese animation are truly astonishing, especially in 3D animation,” said Gaku Kaneko, deputy director of Japan’s TEAMJOY Corporation. “The visual quality of ‘Ne Zha 2’ has reached new heights, you can see its tremendous progress from the film’s mind-blowing combat scenes.”

To achieve these breathtaking visual effects, the production team pushed the boundaries of technology. Out of the film’s 2,400 shots, a significant portion of more than 1,900 are special effects. Thanks to these advanced effects, Chinese culture no longer remains an abstract concept but comes to life in vibrant visual forms, lowering the cultural barriers for international audiences. A total of 138 animation companies across China reportedly contributed to the film’s production, from modeling and rendering to action design and effects, pooling their expertise for a powerful technical synergy.

“I’m eagerly looking forward to ‘Ne Zha 2’ competing for the 2025 Academy Awards, so I can vote for it!” said Sheila Sofian, an Oscar juror.

The BBC hailed “Ne Zha 2” as a symbol of China’s cinematic progress, while The New York Times noted how Chinese audiences, once a major support base for Hollywood box offices, are increasingly opting for high-quality domestic films. Other foreign media praised the film for “redefining new heights in the film industry.”

The modern interpretation of the legendary figure in “Ne Zha 2” marks not just a global hit of a single film but a significant step for the Chinese film industry on the international stage, which will definitely inspire more Chinese cultural products to “go global” in the near future.