Ne Zha 2has become a juggernaut at the Chinese box office and could end up being one of the biggest blockbusters of all time.Ne Zha 2is a sequel to the 2019 animated filmNe Zha, and the third film in theFengshenfranchise. The 2019 film, the 2020 filmJiang Ziya, and the recently releasedNe Zha 2are all loosely based on the 16th century novelThe Investiture of the Gods, which isset in Ancient Chinaand includes many gods and demons.
The story of the firstNe Zhamovie follows the titular hero, who is recruited to fight demons. After the events of the first film,Ne Zha 2sees Nezha and his ally, dragon prince Ao Bing, team up to fight sea monsters.Ne Zha 2had an incredible opening at the Chinese box office over the Lunar New Year holiday, and could potentially become one of thehighest-grossing animated movies of all time.Ne Zha 2’smassive box office haul could set many recordsthat other movies will have a hard time beating for years to come.
Ne Zha 2 Has Already Become One Of The Biggest Chinese Blockbusters Of All Time
After box office numbers were down in China in 2024,Ne Zha 2brought massive crowds to theaters over the Lunar New Year holiday. As reported byThe Hollywood Reporter,Ne Zha 2earned $434 million across its first five days in theaters. After its widely successful first five days,ticketing app Maoyan projected thatNe Zha 2could end up earning $944 million at the Chinese box office. If this ends up happening,Ne Zha 2will become China’s highest-grossing blockbuster of all time, surpassingThe Battle at Lake Changjin.
After its 2021 release,The Battle at Lake Changjinmade a total of $913 million at the Chinese box office. Therefore,Ne Zha 2has a chance to make over $30 million more than it and comfortably position itself as the highest-grossing Chinese blockbuster ever. The firstNe Zhamovie made a total of $726,225,470 at the worldwide box office (viaBox Office Mojo). Therefore,Ne Zha 2potentially beating its predecessor in just one market proves what a massive success the sequel is.
China’s Box Office For The 2025 Lunar New Year Topped $1 Billion Overall
China’s Box Office Is Currently Thriving
Along withNe Zha 2, four other major releases ensured that the Chinese box office thrived over the Lunar New Year holiday. On top ofNe Zha 2’ssuccess,films likeDetective Chinatown 1900,Creation of the Gods 2,Boonie Bears: Future Reborn, andLegends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallantsall found success at the box office in their opening weekends. One film finding success at the box office is not uncommon, but five films all having impressive opening weekends proves that the Chinese box office is currently flourishing.
These releases helped deliver a Chinese box office cumulative total of $1.24 billion for 2025.
As reported byVariety,Detective Chinatown 1900made $133.9 million in its opening, whereasCreation of the Gods 2made $41.2 million,Boonie Bears: Future Rebornmade $26.8 million, and rounding out the top five,Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallantsmade $21.3 million. These releases helped deliver a Chinese box office cumulative total of $1.24 billion for 2025.This is a 234.1% increase from the same period last year, which is an extremely impressive statistic and bodes well for China’s 2025 box office results.
Ne Zha 2 Is Tracking To Break Several Chinese Box Office Records Now
Ne Zha 2 Is Competing With Films Like Moana 2 & Inside Out 2
While the four aforementioned films have had impressive earnings,Ne Zha 2is clearly the standout box office earner in China right now.Ne Zha 2is currently on track to break several box office records. In addition to having a strong chance at becoming China’s biggest blockbuster ever, it could also become the first film to ever earn $1 billion in a single territory. Maoyan projects it to make $944 million,but ifNe Zha 2just earns $56 million more, it can pass the $1 billion mark and set a record that has seemed impossible in the past.
Inside Out 2’s Box Office Numbers: Total, Worldwide, Domestic, Opening & Records
Pixar’s Inside Out 2 has become 2024’s highest-grossing movie. Suffice it to say, it made so much money while also breaking few box office records.
Ne Zha 2also became the fastest IMAX release to make RMB100 million in China, which equates to about $13 million U.S. dollars. The five-day opening forNe Zha 2also beat outMoana 2’simpressive $386.3 million opening in November 2024.Ne Zha 2easily surpassedMoana 2’sfive-day opening, and also seems set to beat a record held by another 2024 animated film.Current projections suggest thatNe Zha 2will become the highest animated grosser in a single market, beating outInside Out 2, which earned an impressive $653 million in domestic markets.
When You’ll Be Able To Watch Ne Zha 2
Ne Zha 2 Is Being Released In Other Markets Soon
After dominating the box office in China,Ne Zha 2is currently set to release in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on July 11, 2025. Therefore,Ne Zha 2is being released in domestic theaters not long at all after its Chinese release.Ne Zha 2’srelease schedule is thankfully much different from the first film in the series, which took about two months to be released in domestic theaters.
Ne Zha’sunderwhelming domestic box office haul also suggests thatNe Zha 2is not a threat to overtakeInside Out 2as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.
Even thoughNe Zha 2has been a huge success in China, it may not draw big audiences in domestic theaters. The firstNe Zhamovie only made $3,695,530 at the domestic box office. This proves that domestic audiences are much less interested in the series.Ne Zha’sunderwhelming domestic box office haul also suggests thatNe Zha 2is not a threat to overtakeInside Out 2as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Therefore, even thoughNew Zha 2is a huge success in China, it may not experience the same level of success in domestic theaters.
