[Video] Ne Zha 2: The billion-dollar phenomenon shaking up Chinese cinema
The Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has grossed over US$1.37 billion as of 13 February, making it the third highest-grossing animated film of all time globally, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie. How did it reach this historic milestone? ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out.
Ne Zha 2, the sequel to the 2019 hit, took over five years to complete. With more than 100 production teams and 4,000 staff, it has set a new benchmark for Chinese animation. Backed by a 500-million-RMB investment, the film features 1,900 VFX (visual effects) shots and over 10,000 special effects elements, some perfected over three years.
The team made the impossible possible — rendering millions of chains binding each monster in a vast army, even if it meant waiting two hours just to start a computer. Unlike its predecessor, which struggled with large-scale water animation, Ne Zha 2 broke new ground, enabling characters not only to dive in but also to part the sea and unleash chaos with unprecedented realism.
Beyond its visuals, the film’s success is deeply rooted in Chinese cultural heritage. From curved swords to curved teeth, every design choice reflects China’s artistic traditions. Intricate details — such as tattered armour and the three-tiered Dragon Palace — showcase the team’s meticulous craftsmanship in staying true to the highly valued creative elements of Chinese culture. Based on the classic myth of the protective deity Ne Zha, Ne Zha 2 taps into a growing appreciation for national heritage amid rising cultural confidence, delivering a story that Chinese audiences want to see.
This phenomenon extends beyond the screen. Co-branded merchandise — including phones, blind boxes and consumer products — has sold out at record speed, mirroring the frenzy surrounding Black Myth: Wukong’s PS5 hype.
Director Yang Yu captures this ambition: “Treat every work as if it’s our final one.” Indeed, Ne Zha 2 marks a defining moment in the evolution of Chinese animation and cinema. Beating Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has become the highest-grossing film ever and the first to surpass US$1 billion in a single market. Its success signals a new era for China’s film industry—one driven by both technological mastery and cultural storytelling.
