Animated Chinese blockbuster “Ne Zha 2”, based mostly on conventional mythology, has smashed a number of field workplace information on its technique to turning into the nation’s most profitable film ever.
The story of a rebellious younger deity who battles dragons is the primary film to earn over $1 billion in a single market, overtaking “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” which made $936 million within the United States in 2015.
Released on January 29 to coincide with the Lunar New Year vacation, a first-rate movie-going time in China, the movie has reignited the nation’s movie trade after 2024 noticed field workplace receipts droop 23 % in comparison with a 12 months earlier.
A sequel 5 years within the making, “Ne Zha 2” — which pulls on the Sixteenth-century novel “Investiture of the Gods” — has tapped into each rising demand for merchandise that draw from conventional Chinese tales, and nationwide satisfaction in China’s technological progress.
“Ne Zha is deeply rooted in Chinese culture,” 36-year-old Gao Zhen, who watched the film along with his youngster, informed AFP in Beijing. “We resonate with the characters and background.”
Audiences have additionally pointed to the film’s particular results as proof of China’s movie trade catching up with, and even surpassing, Hollywood’s choices.
“Foreign movies may have dazzling visuals, but Chinese cinema has also mastered those techniques now,” Gao mentioned.
“I used to prefer Western animation, like Disney and Pixar. But now, Chinese animation is getting stronger, and I prefer domestic productions more,” 26-year-old media employee Qu Peihong informed AFP.
The authentic “Ne Zha” grew to become China’s highest grossing animated movie after it was launched in 2019.
“Ne Zha 2” surpassed all former home field workplace report holders — together with the 2019 sci-fi hit “The Wandering Earth” and 2021’s patriotic struggle movie “The Battle at Lake Changjin” — in simply 9 days.
After a barren spell for standout movies in China final 12 months, the return of Ne Zha “has boosted people’s confidence in the industry”, Qu mentioned.
According to native media experiences, director Jiao Zi, whose actual identify is Yang Yu, mentioned he initially tried to work with worldwide companions on the movie however discovered the outcomes lower than commonplace and as an alternative used an all-Chinese workforce.
Some followers have speculated that the movie additionally accommodates hidden geopolitical symbolism, suggesting the villain’s palace is a reference to the Pentagon or White House, although the filmmakers have not commented on these rumors.
“This film far exceeded my expectations, it was really exciting. When I exited the cinema, I felt a deep sense of pride as a Chinese person,” 22-year-old Zhang Zhengfa informed AFP. “I think there will be more in the future. I believe this is just the beginning.”
The movie’s success proves that “Chinese animation has grown into a powerhouse and can rival Disney and Japanese animations in the Chinese domestic market”, Ying Zhu, creator of “Hollywood in China”, informed AFP.
The movie has “transformed a traditional folklore into a modern tale of individuality, which struck a chord with audiences”, she mentioned.
Audiences have chimed with the movie’s story of “rebellion and nonconformity”, much like how they embraced the plot of hit online game “Black Myth: Wukong” final 12 months, CEO of knowledge firm BigOne Lab Robert Wu wrote in his e-newsletter.
“Black Myth” combines the basic Sixteenth-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West” with cutting-edge graphics, and the primary character is a fun-loving and defiant Monkey King who battles demons.
But whereas the sport grew to become a global best-seller, there’s much less certainty round how “Ne Zha 2”, based mostly on a legend little identified exterior of China, might be acquired elsewhere, given the restricted reception of the unique.
“I don’t think (foreign audiences) will understand it as deeply as we do,” mentioned moviegoer Qu. “But I hope this movie will help them to understand Chinese culture.”
© 2025 AFP