<em>Ne Zha 2</em> has emerged as a phenomenal success at the Chinese box office, positioning itself as a potential contender for one of the greatest blockbusters in cinematic history. As the sequel to the acclaimed 2019 animated hit Ne Zha, this film marks the third installment in the Fengshen franchise. The previous films, including the 2020 release Jiang Ziya, are loosely inspired by the 16th-century literary classic The Investiture of the Gods, which intricately weaves tales of gods and demons set against the backdrop of Ancient China, captivating audiences with its rich mythology.

The narrative of the original Ne Zha film follows the titular hero as he embarks on an epic journey to combat various demons. In the sequel, Ne Zha 2, audiences witness Nezha teaming up with his dragon prince ally, Ao Bing, to confront ferocious sea monsters that threaten their realm. The film experienced an explosive debut at the Chinese box office during the Lunar New Year holiday, with projections indicating that Ne Zha 2 could potentially shatter records and become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, a feat that would solidify its place in cinematic history.

Ne Zha 2 Achieved an Impressive $434 Million Opening in China During the Lunar New Year Holiday

Ne Zha 2 is Now One of the Largest Chinese Blockbusters in Cinematic History

Following a period of declining box office figures in China throughout 2024, Ne Zha 2 captivated vast audiences, drawing them into theaters over the Lunar New Year holiday. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Ne Zha 2 generated an astonishing $434 million during its first five days of release. After this remarkable opening, the ticketing application Maoyan has forecasted that Ne Zha 2 could potentially amass a staggering $944 million at the Chinese box office. Should this projection hold true, Ne Zha 2 would surpass The Battle at Lake Changjin, claiming the title of the highest-grossing blockbuster in China’s cinematic landscape.

In 2021, The Battle at Lake Changjin achieved a remarkable total of $913 million at the Chinese box office. Consequently, Ne Zha 2 has the potential to outshine its predecessor by more than $30 million, thereby comfortably securing its position as the highest-grossing Chinese film of all time. The original Ne Zha film accumulated a worldwide box office total of $726,225,470 (as reported by Box Office Mojo). Thus, Ne Zha 2’s prospects of surpassing its predecessor in a single market serve as a testament to the sequel’s monumental success.

China’s Box Office Surged Over $1 Billion for the 2025 Lunar New Year

The Thriving State of China’s Box Office Market

In addition to the remarkable success of Ne Zha 2, four other major film releases also contributed significantly to the flourishing state of the Chinese box office during the Lunar New Year holiday. Beyond the triumph of Ne Zha 2, films such as Detective Chinatown 1900, Creation of the Gods 2, Boonie Bears: Future Reborn, and Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants all achieved impressive box office performances during their opening weekends. While individual films often find success, the collective performance of five films during this period highlights the current vitality of the Chinese box office.

As detailed by Variety, Detective Chinatown 1900 raked in $133.9 million during its opening weekend, while Creation of the Gods 2 earned $41.2 million. Additionally, Boonie Bears: Future Reborn garnered $26.8 million, and Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants completed the top five with $21.3 million. Such impressive figures contributed to a remarkable cumulative total of $1.24 billion for the Chinese box office in 2025. This represents a phenomenal 234.1% increase compared to the same timeframe last year, which is an outstanding indicator for China’s box office performance moving forward.

Ne Zha 2 is Positioned to Shatter Multiple Chinese Box Office Records

Ne Zha 2 Competes with Major Releases Including Moana 2 & Inside Out 2

While the aforementioned films have demonstrated strong box office earnings, Ne Zha 2 clearly stands out as the leading box office performer in China at this time. Ne Zha 2 is on track to break numerous box office records. In addition to the potential of becoming China’s all-time highest-grossing blockbuster, it could also become the first film in history to earn $1 billion in a single territory. Projections from Maoyan suggest it will reach $944 million, but if Ne Zha 2 can secure an additional $56 million, it would surpass the $1 billion threshold, establishing a record that has long been deemed unattainable.

Ne Zha 2 achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the fastest IMAX release to reach RMB100 million in China, equivalent to approximately $13 million USD. The film’s five-day opening surpassed Moana 2’s impressive $386.3 million opening in November 2024, setting a new benchmark. Ne Zha 2 is not only on track to break records but is also projected to become the highest-grossing animated film in a single market, surpassing Inside Out 2, which garnered an impressive $653 million in domestic earnings.

Release Date for Ne Zha 2: When to Watch

Ne Zha 2 is Set to Premiere in Additional Markets Soon

Following its tremendous success in China, Ne Zha 2 is slated to premiere in various international markets, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on February 14, 2025. This swift release schedule is a significant improvement compared to the first installment in the series, which took approximately two months to reach domestic theaters. The anticipation surrounding Ne Zha 2‘s international release is palpable, as fans around the world eagerly await its arrival.

While Ne Zha 2 has achieved outstanding success within China, its performance in domestic theaters may not mirror this triumph. The original Ne Zha film’s domestic box office earnings were considerably underwhelming, tallying just $3,695,530. This