Ne-who now?
Ne Zha – a show drawn from the 16th-century Chinese work "Investiture of the Gods," blending historical aspects with stories of deities and spirits from Chinese folklore along with extensive mythological content.
These movies revolve around a mystical pearl divided into two parts: the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb. The former is destined for rebirth as a heroic demon slayer, whereas the latter faces annihilation through divine thunderbolts. Enter Ne Zha, who was meant to become the hero but instead emerges from this process as a demon. As he grapples with his inherent traits and predetermined destiny, Ne Zha sets out on a journey to find an elixir that can heal the injured form of Prince Ao Bing, the dragon deity.
It might seem overwhelming, but everything becomes quite clear once you watch the initial movie. Essentially, it revolves around a mischievous youngster with prominent teeth who fights off demons while challenging destiny and subtly commenting on how good and evil aren’t necessarily defined by their source.
Now that you're all updated, it’s time to go over the records.
The 2025 follow-up film, penned and helmed by Jiaozi, has created history.
The Chinese animated blockbuster has claimed the top spot as the highest-grossing movie ever in China and has also become the most successful animated film globally, surpassing Pixar's achievements. Inside Out 2 It became the first foreign-language film to earn over $1 billion at the box office and the first non-Hollywood movie to break into the global all-time top 10 box office rankings.
Still with us?
Ne Zha 2 Currently stands as the sixth highest-grossing film of all time, following Avatar , Avengers: Endgame , Avatar: The Path of Water , Titanic and Star Wars: The Awakening of the Force .
It was launched in China on January 29th, and it surpassed the $2 billion milestone over the weekend. As of now, it stands at $2,056,003,774 (for comparison, Inside Out 2 with a global total of $1.69 billion and appears poised to exceed Star Wars: The Awakening of the Force Soon. Particularly since Trinity CineAsia has acquired the theatrical distribution rights for Ne Zha 2 Across 37 European regions—including France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, and the UK—it will premiere on March 21st.
Hardly does one come across a movie that genuinely encapsulates an epoch, reaffirms the distinctive ability of filmmaking to stir emotions, and leaves an everlasting imprint on society. 'Ne Zha 2' achieves this," stated Cedric Behrel, the managing director of Trinity CineAsia. "This marks a significant milestone in solidifying Trinity CineAsia’s position as a prominent European-wide distribution company.
A lasting impact on culture driven by nationalism within its home country, with Chinese enthusiasts expressing opposition towards Marvel’s Captain America: A Bold New Era to ensure Ne Zha 2 ’s box office supremacy.
Fans have turned to social media to criticize Ne Zha’s primary opponent, with an internet catchphrase stating: "I don't mind whether Ne Zha 2 survives abroad, but Captain America 4 has got to fail in China."
Ouch.
One online post stated, 'It's not Captain America who is dying; it's America itself that is fading away,' " adding, "'Actually, the U.S. doesn’t possess superheroes, nor is it a peaceful guardian of human values.'
Ouch again.
Captain America: A Bold New Era Has only amassed a global total of $370 million so far, and he’s likely feeling red, white, and quite blue at this moment.
Ne Zha 2 will be hitting screens nearby shortly.