‘Ne Zha 2’ Is Now the Highest-Grossing Animated Feature of All Time

A new champion has emerged from the East, as Chengdu Coco Cartoon’s record-smashing CG sequel Ne Zha 2 claims the title of highest grossing animated feature of all time. According to data from Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan, the pic has earned CN¥12.3 billion (US$1.69 billion), squeaking past the chart-topping numbers posted by Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 last year ($1.6988B).

The total also inducts Ne Zha 2 as the eighth highest-grossing motion pictures ever released.

The Chinese animated fantasy adventure, inspired by the classic novel Investiture of the Gods and following its box-office hit 2019 predecessor, opened in North America this weekend (Feb. 14), earning $8.3 million after a $7.2M opening. As of Feb. 18, the pic was still reigning No. 1 at the Chinese daily box office with a cumulative gross of $1.6819B from more than 3.6 million admissions, and has yet to wind down its rocketing release in the Middle Kingdom after 21 days.

As previously reported, in quick succession Ne Zha 2 has set a number of box office records before taking the big No. 1 toon spot:

• Highest single-day gross of a Chinese animated film (over CN¥700M / ~US$96M million)
• Highest-grossing animated feature release in China of all time
• Highest-grossing non-U.S.-produced film of all time
• Highest-grossing Chinese film of all time 
• Highest grossing film in a single market of all time
• First film to hit $1 billion in a single market

Ne Zha 2 is directed by returning helmer Jiaozi (Yu Yang), and continues the adventures of the super strong demon-slaying hero. In this installment, Ne Zha teams up with the dragon prince Ao Bing to protect the land from sea monsters.

Highest-Grossing Animated Movies Worldwide

1. Ne Zha 2 ($1.69B+)
2. Inside Out 2  $1.69B
3.  Frozen II ($1.45B) -OR- The Lion King 2019 ($1.65B)
4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($1.36B)
5. Frozen ($1.29B)
6. Incredibles 2 ($1.24B)
7. Minions ($1.16B)
8. Toy Story 4 ($1.07B)
9. Toy Story 3 ($1.06B)
10. Moana 2 ($1.04B)

[Sources: Reuters, Box Office Mojo, Entgroup]