In recent years, the Chinese box office has seen a significant shift in its top-grossing films. From an army commander to a woman finding her strength in boxing, audiences have shown an evolving appetite for storytelling. In 2025, however, a new protagonist has captured the spotlight and set new international records: an animated demon child.
“Ne Zha 2,” a Chinese animation created by Yang Yu, has emerged as a cultural phenomenon. Drawing from Chinese mythology, the film follows Ne Zha, a demon child raised by humans, as he embarks on a quest to procure a precious elixir for his dragon prince friend, Ao Bing, whose body was devastated by lightning.
The film’s appeal lies in its epic battles and visually stunning graphics, infused with symbolism that has drawn millions to theaters. Since its release during the Lunar New Year, “Ne Zha 2” has achieved remarkable success, earning 14.7 billion yuan (£1.6 billion) and becoming the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, surpassing Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” This accomplishment marks a departure from the patriotic epics that have dominated Chinese cinemas in recent years. Previous top-grossing films like “The Battle at Lake Changjin” and “Wolf Warrior 2” have been overtaken, signaling a shift in audience preferences.
The narrative of “Ne Zha 2” coincides with a climate of economic challenge and social discontent in China, with the story of battling injustice resonating particularly with younger audiences. Yu Yaqin, a Beijing-based film critic, notes that the film’s messages of personal control and autonomy over fate connect with the public’s sense of struggle in the current socio-economic environment.
Interestingly, the film has also been interpreted by some as harboring anti-American symbolism, reflecting a broader cultural and political sentiment. The timing of its release, coinciding with the Lunar New Year holiday, has contributed to its phenomenal success, tapping into a period when families traditionally visit theaters. The government and businesses have further amplified the film’s impact, integrating it into broader cultural narratives of national destiny, or “guoyun.”
The unprecedented success of “Ne Zha 2” reflects a broader trend. Like the AI company DeepSeek, which has become ubiquitous in China, the film exemplifies the country’s growing preference for locally-rooted stories that resonate on a national level. The film sets the stage for a cultural renaissance that looks inward for inspiration rather than seeking validation from Western audiences, as evidenced by its current performance in China and its uncertain prospects for international release.
While its universal themes of heroism and the battle against injustice might appeal to audiences beyond its borders, “Ne Zha 2″’s specific roots in Chinese mythology and its connection to the previous film in the series might limit its international reach. Currently pending release in the UK on March 21st, its performance in non-Chinese speaking markets remains to be seen. Regardless, “Ne Zha 2” has already made its mark as a testament to the power of storytelling and cultural heritage in the film industry.
Additional reporting by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu contributed to this piece.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/16/ne-zha-2-animation-chinese-box-office-inside-out-2
