Weekend Long Read: With ‘Ne Zha 2,’ a 3-Year-Old Demon Is Crushing Every Movie in China

"Ne Zha 2," the sequel to the 2019 animated film "Ne Zha," has become a significant success in China's box office, reflecting the potential of strong films to attract large crowds. Released on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the film broke records by grossing over 6.8 billion yuan ($940 million) in less than ten days. It surpassed major blockbusters like "Avengers: Endgame" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," achieving the biggest single-market box office total in history. [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3]

The film dominated China's Spring Festival box office, accounting for over 50% of holiday earnings, which boosted the total takings during the weeklong holiday to 9.51 billion yuan with 187 million admissions, setting new records for revenue and ticket sales. Other releases during the festival, including "Creation of the Gods II" and "Detective Chinatown 1900," performed well but couldn't rival the success of "Ne Zha 2." This success rejuvenated the Chinese cinema industry after a decline in 2024 when box office earnings fell by over 10 billion yuan. [para. 3][para. 4][para. 5]

"Ne Zha 2" not only drew crowds but also proved the continued demand for quality films in theaters. It builds on the story from the 16th-century novel "Investiture of the Gods," offering a fresh take on the legend. The original "Ne Zha" film reimagined the character with a rebellious edge, and it became China's fifth-highest-grossing film of all time. The sequel maintains this momentum by expanding on Ne Zha's journey and identity, creating a narrative that challenges the existing rules that bind the destinies of gods and demons. [para. 6][para. 8][para. 9][para. 10]

Director Yang Yu crafted Ne Zha with an unconventional design to challenge audience perceptions, a gamble that paid off, as evidenced by the sequel's high ratings on platforms like Douban. Despite some criticisms about cliched moments, the film's depiction of transcending racial notions of good and evil resonated with viewers. "Ne Zha 2" also surpassed its predecessor in terms of animation depth, involving over 1,900 visual effects shots, marking a significant achievement in domestic animation. [para. 11][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15]

Yang Yu, a pioneer in China's animation industry, spent over 20 years pursuing his vision, beginning with his pivot from a pharmacy education to animation. His determination to elevate Chinese animation resulted in a franchise like "Ne Zha," which challenges the simplicity commonly associated with the genre. The film's climax, featuring a massive and meticulously crafted battle scene, showcases the potential of Chinese animated films. This scene required nearly a year and a half to render, illustrating the team's dedication to achieving excellence. [para. 18][para. 20]

"Ne Zha 2" represents a step in bringing Chinese culture to the global stage, with the film set for a North American release. While the first film made only $3.7 million in this market, the sequel arrives with enhanced momentum and the backing of an industry eager to establish its presence internationally. Through works like "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" and "Big Fish & Begonia," Chinese animated films are increasingly proving their capacity to compete worldwide, and Yang Yu hopes that his passion will resonate beyond domestic audiences. [para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24]