BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has become the first Chinese film to gross 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in total global earnings, including presales, crossing the benchmark on Thursday, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan.
This milestone achievement, obtained on the 16th day after the film's release on the Chinese New Year on Jan. 29, adds to a growing list of records it had made. "Ne Zha 2" had already become the first film to gross 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market and also the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.
Analysts, speaking with Xinhua on Thursday, said they believe the success of "Ne Zha 2" goes beyond impressive box office figures: it showcases the vitality, appeal and prowess of Chinese culture and creativity.
Helmed by Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, the film has set a new benchmark for the influence of Chinese cinema and culture on the global stage, they said.
A follow-up to animated sensation "Ne Zha," which grossed 5 billion yuan and topped the Chinese box office chart in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with not only its breathtaking visuals, but also its rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance.
The sequel continues the story of the iconic character Nezha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese mythology. Set after the events of the first film, it follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges. ■
This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2025 shows a poster for the Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Having amassed over 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in global total earnings, including presales, the Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" is the first film to gross 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club. With domestic earnings projected to surge past 15 billion yuan, the film is poised to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time and one of the five top-grossing films globally. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
