Ne Zha 2

Ne Zha 2 (2025) is a Chinese animated fantasy-adventure written and directed by Jiaozi (Yang Yu), produced by Chengdu Coco Cartoon and Beijing Enlight Media. It continues the saga from Ne Zha (2019), drawing inspiration from the classic Chinese epic Investiture of the Gods. The film follows the reincarnated demigods Ne Zha and Ao Bing as they embark on a perilous journey to reclaim their bodies, overcome divine trials, and thwart celestial corruption while safeguarding humanity. Framed by dynamic character relationships and themes of redemption, bravery, and self-discovery, it blends mythic storytelling with emotional depth. Visually, Ne Zha 2 delivers spectacular CGI animation, featuring sweeping martial arts battles, ethereal energy dragons, and intricately rendered supernatural environments. The film’s action sequences are fast-paced and meticulously choreographed, leveraging fluid motion and dazzling imagery to immerse the audience in its legendary cosmos. The production’s stylistic flair brings traditional mythology to life with vivid realism and cinematic energy. Made on an estimated US $80 million budget, the film achieved record-breaking box office success, earning US $2.215 billion worldwide—¥15.46 billion in China alone. It became the highest-grossing animated film ever, the first non-English animated feature to surpass $2 billion, and ranked as the fifth highest-grossing film of all time. It also set domestic records, passing ¥1 billion in three days and ¥7 billion in nine days, hitting $1 billion before any international release. Critically acclaimed, Ne Zha 2 holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising its emotional resonance, epic scope, and perfectly balanced mix of mythological grandeur and humor. Audiences in China heralded it as a cultural triumph, celebrating it on prominent platforms like Douban, Maoyan, and Taopiaopiao. While it has yet to sweep Western awards, its international rollout—including an English-language IMAX and 3D release by A24 featuring Michelle Yeoh (August 2025)—signals growing global recognition. The legacy of Ne Zha 2 is already profound. It marks a turning point in global animation by confirming that a Chinese-produced, folklore-infused epic can rival Hollywood in both market reach and artistic impact. It paves the way for a new era of Chinese animation that commands international attention and competes at the highest levels of storytelling ambition.