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Ne Zha has done it again. Ne Zha 2 has officially overtaken Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, per Reuters. The sequel to the 2019 Chinese blockbuster has now grossed ¥12.3 billion (US$1.69 billion), narrowly surpassing Pixar’s 2024 hit. With this milestone, Ne Zha 2 has also become the eighth highest-grossing film of all time.
The record-breaking run of Ne Zha 2 stands out not just for its numbers but for the speed at which it climbed the rankings. Inside Out 2 held the title for less than a year before being dethroned, making it the shortest reign for any film in the top spot. Before that, Frozen II held the title for nearly five years, while Frozen itself ruled for six. Even in past handovers, films like Shrek 2 and Finding Nemo had a longer grip on the record before eventually being surpassed.
Unlike most record-setting animated films, Ne Zha 2 achieved its success almost entirely within China. The vast majority of its earnings have come from its domestic audience, setting a new record for the biggest single-market gross of all time. Despite a more limited international release, its numbers continue to soar, proving that a film does not need a massive global rollout to dominate the industry. The movie’s success is also a strong indicator that Hollywood’s influence on the global box office continues to wane while China’s industry becomes increasingly self-sustaining. Even Captain America: Brave New World, which performed well globally, was unable to claim the top spot in China due to Ne Zha 2.
Released over the lucrative Chinese New Year period, the film wasted no time shattering records. It quickly surpassed the lifetime earnings of its predecessor’s US$726.2 million haul and overtook The Battle of Lake Changjin, China’s previous highest-grossing film. All in all, Ne Zha 2‘s impact marks a shift in global cinema, where Chinese films are no longer just competing with Western productions — but leading the charge.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
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