Ne-who now?
Ne Zha – a series drawn from the 16th-century Chinese novel "Investiture of the Gods," blending historical aspects with stories of gods and demons from Chinese folklore along with abundant mythological themes.
These movies revolve around a mystical pearl that divides into two entities: the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb. The former is destined for rebirth as a hero fighting demons, whereas the latter is foretold to perish due to divine thunderbolts. Enter Ne Zha, who was meant to become the heroic figure but instead emerges as a demonic entity. Battling both his inherent traits and predetermined destiny, he sets out on a journey to acquire an elixir aimed at restoring the form of Dragon Prince Ao Bing.
It might seem overwhelming, but everything becomes quite clear once you watch the initial movie. Essentially, it revolves around a small troublemaker with prominent teeth who fights off demons while challenging destiny, subtly examining the idea that good and evil aren’t defined by where they come from.
Now that you're all updated, it's time for the records.
The 2025 follow-up film, penned and helmed by Jiaozi, has created a historical milestone.
The Chinese animated blockbuster has claimed the title of highest-grossing movie ever in China and has also become the most successful animated film globally, surpassing Pixar's achievements. Inside Out 2 It was the first foreign-language film to earn over $1 billion at the box office and also became the first movie not produced in Hollywood to secure a spot within the global top 10 highest-grossing films of all time.
Still with us?
Ne Zha 2 Currently holds the position as the sixth highest-grossing film of all time following Avatar , Avengers: Endgame , Avatar: The Path of Water , Titanic and Star Wars: The Force Awakens .
It was launched in China on January 29th, and within the weekend, it surpassed the $2 billion milestone. As I write this, it stands at $2,056,003,774 (for comparison, Inside Out 2 with a global total of $1.69 billion and appears poised to exceed Star Wars: The Force Awakens especially considering that Trinity CineAsia has acquired the theater distribution rights for Ne Zha 2 Across 37 European regions — such as France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, and the UK — where it will premiere on March 21st.
Films that genuinely capture their time period, stir viewers profoundly, and leave a lasting impact on society are few and far between. 'Ne Zha 2' achieves this," stated Cedric Behrel, the managing director of Trinity CineAsia. "This marks a significant milestone in solidifying Trinity CineAsia’s position as a leading European-wide distributor.
A lasting impact on culture driven by nationalism within its home country, with Chinese enthusiasts expressing their disapproval towards Marvel’s actions. Captain America: Bold New Era to ensure Ne Zha 2 ’s box office supremacy.
Audiences have turned to social media to criticize Ne Zha’s primary antagonist, with a widely circulated phrase online stating: "I don't mind whether Ne Zha 2 thrives abroad, but Captain America 4 has got to meet its end in China."
Ouch.
One online post stated, 'It's not Captain America who is dying; it's America itself that is dying.' The poster went on to say, 'Actually, the U.S. doesn’t possess superheroes, nor is it a peaceful guardian for humanity.'
Ouch again.
Captain America: Bold New Era Has only amassed a global total of $370 million so far, and he’s likely feeling red, white, and quite blue at this moment.
Ne Zha 2 will be screening at a theater close to you shortly.
