‘Ne Zha 2’ Becomes the Highest-Grossing Animated Film Ever

The global animation box office has a new champion. China’s ‘Ne Zha 2’ has overtaken Pixar’s Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film ever, reshaping the industry’s landscape and solidifying China’s dominance in the animation market.

‘Ne Zha 2’ Breaks Records with $1.9 Billion in Just Four Weeks

The highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha has shattered expectations, grossing $1.9 billion worldwide in just four weeks. This milestone surpasses Inside Out 2, which held the previous record at $1.7 billion. The majority of Ne Zha 2’s revenue comes from China, the world’s largest theatrical market, where the film has enjoyed unprecedented success.

The first Ne Zha film grossed $726 million, proving China’s growing influence in global animation. The sequel’s overwhelming popularity reflects a mix of nationalist sentiment, social media buzz, and an audience eager for high-quality domestic content.

The Rise of Chinese Animation on the Global Stage

While Ne Zha 2 dominates in China, it has also found success in international markets, including the United States, where it has earned $15 million. With screenings in over 15 Bay Area theaters, the film continues to attract interest from global audiences.

The film’s stunning animation, compelling storyline, and rich cultural themes have drawn comparisons to Hollywood’s biggest animated blockbusters. Produced at $83 million, Ne Zha 2 stands as China’s most expensive animated film to date, involving 138 animation companies and over 4,000 crew members. Despite this, its budget is still significantly lower than the $200 million spent on Inside Out 2.

Climbing the Global Box Office Rankings

With its impressive earnings, Ne Zha 2 currently ranks eighth among the highest-grossing films of all time. Industry analysts predict that it could soon surpass:

• Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.95 billion)
• Avengers: Infinity War ($2.05 billion)

If this trajectory continues, Ne Zha 2 could solidify itself in the top six highest-grossing films ever.

The Top Five Box Office Hits of All Time

The highest-grossing films in history remain:

1. Avatar (2009) – $2.9 billion
2. Avengers: Endgame (2019) – $2.8 billion
3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2023) – $2.3 billion
4. Titanic (1997) – $2.25 billion
5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – $2.07 billion

While Ne Zha 2 still has a way to go before reaching these heights, its rapid box office climb highlights China’s growing influence in global cinema.

The Future of Animated Films

The success of Ne Zha 2 marks a turning point for animated films, proving that non-Hollywood productions can achieve record-breaking success. As China continues to invest heavily in animation, we can expect more films to challenge the dominance of Western studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks.

With Ne Zha 2’s continued momentum, it may not be long before another Chinese animated film breaks new records on the global stage.

Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving world of animated cinema!