‘Ne Zha 2’ Becomes First Non-Hollywood Film To Hit $1 Billion

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has broken multiple box office records, becoming China’s highest-grossing film of all time and the first non-Hollywood movie to surpass $1 billion in a single market. Helmed by Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, the film hit the big screen during the lucrative Chinese New Year frame on Jan. 29, surpassing 2017’s “Wolf Warrior 2” to become China’s most-watched film. Meanwhile, its total revenue (including presales) hit 8 billion yuan (about 1.12 billion U.S. dollars) by Sunday. In just eight days and five hours after its release, “Ne Zha 2” became China’s highest-grossing film of all time on Thursday, exceeding the 5.77 billion yuan record set by “The Battle at Lake Changjin.” A day later, it overtook “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to become the highest-grossing film ever in a single market, reaching over 6.79 billion yuan (including presales) in China on Friday.

A follow-up to the animated sensation “Ne Zha,” which grossed 5 billion yuan and topped the country’s box office charts in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals, rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance. The record-breaking run makes “Ne Zha 2” not just a box office titan but a cultural phenomenon, further underscoring China’s ability to produce homegrown blockbusters that strike a chord with domestic audiences. You can watch the international trailer on YouTube.