A theatrical collision between the West and East is on the way, as indie film distributor A24 and CMC Pictures have announced a team-up on an English-language version of Ne Zha 2, the animated box office darling from China.
Opening in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on 22 August, the newly dubbed release is set to feature Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh in a lead voice role, though her exact character portrayal remains under wraps.
“I’m honoured to be part of Ne Zha 2, a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be,” said the Everything Everywhere All At Once star in a statement. “Sharing this with audiences in English is such a joy, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the wonder, heart, spectacular artistry and magic of this film on the big screen.”
The pic marks a rare collaboration between the two companies, and will be presented in IMAX, 3D, and other premium large formats. Written and helmed by returning director Yang Yu under the pseudonym of Jiaozi, it serves as the sequel to a modern reimagining of the mythological Chinese folk hero, who grows up to become the saviour of humanity from his roots as a rebellious demigod born to human parents and feared by the gods.
“After a great catastrophe, the souls of Nezha and Aobing are saved, but their bodies face ruin. To give them new life, Taiyi Zhenren turns to the mystical seven-colored lotus in a daring bid to rebuild them and change their fate,” reads the synopsis for Ne Zha 2.
The original Chinese-language version is already a global fan favourite, setting a major cultural milestone with an impressive showing at the box office. It made history as the first animated movie to surpass US$2 billion worldwide, beating Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (US$1.7 billion) in the process, and is now the world’s top-grossing animated film of all time. The sequel also ranks as the highest-rated animated movie of the year on Rotten Tomatoes, and as one of the top-rated titles on Letterboxd for 2025.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
