(ECNS) -- Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha: The Devil Child Rages the Sea, or Ne Zha 2, has reached a total box office of 12.052 billion yuan ($1.66 billion), overtaking The Lion King and entering the top ten highest-grossing films in global box office history, according to data from movie data platform Beacon Pro.
At the same time, it is approaching the top spot in the global animated box office rankings, trailing Inside Out 2 by less than 3 billion yuan.
This year marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of first Chinese movie, which adds even greater significance to Ne Zha 2’s remarkable 12-billion-yuan milestone.
Ne Zha 2 has broken 35 box office records
In just 20 days since its release, Ne Zha 2 continues to create box office miracles.
So far, Ne Zha 2 has broken 35 box office records, including the highest total audience turnout and highest cumulative box office in Chinese film history.
At 9 p.m. on Sunday, the total box office for 2025 (including real-time presales) surpassed 20 billion yuan, setting a new record for the fastest annual box office to reach this milestone in Chinese film history. And Ne Zha 2 dominates with a staggering 59.4 percent share of the total box office.
The Chinese film market’s total box office revenue for 2025 has already surpassed North America's, making it the highest-grossing film market in the world this year.
Meanwhile, the film is also making waves overseas. On its opening day in Australia and New Zealand, it became the highest-grossing Chinese film of the past 20 years. In North America, its opening weekend shattered the 20-year record for the highest box office performance of a Chinese film.
A netizen commented, “If you loved the first film, then the sequel is an absolute must-watch, because it’s even more thrilling than the first!”
Ne Zha 2 embodies the collective strength of China’s animation industry
Ne Zha 2’s director Yang Yu (better known as Jiaozi) said that the key to Chinese culture reaching the world lies in the core elements such as the script, story, and characters.
Audiences who have watched the film are deeply impressed by the long list of credits at the end. The film contains 2,427 shots, including 1,948 special effects. Each of these special effect shots is the result of the collective efforts of 138 animation companies and over 4,000 Chinese animators.
In the movie, every soldier from Heaven has its own unique composition, and each groundhog has to look different. The meticulous creative team continuously refined their work to deliver a masterpiece.
Meanwhile, passionate audiences have started using a magnifying glass to search for details in Ne Zha 2. One view isn't enough, so they are eager to watch it multiple times.
Since the release of China’s first film “Dingjun Mountain” in 1905, local cinema has experienced 120 years.
We are delighted to witness how countless classic cultural treasures are being revitalized through the film industry. Chinese traditional cultural are reaching new global audiences, expanding its
The number of 12 billion yuan is not only a new milestone, but a brand new beginning, indicating that the future of Chinese cinema holds endless possibilities.
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