As of Wednesday, the CG-animated epic fantasy Ne Zha 2 has battled its way to CN¥5.05 billion (~US$705 million) and cemented its place as the highest-grossing animated feature release of all time in China and the third-highest grossing film ever released in the country. Produced by Chengdu Coco Cartoon Co., Ltd. and distributed by Beijing Enlight Pictures, the sequel debuted January 29, timed to the Lunar New Year holiday.
The new film has surpassed the total gross of the first Ne Zha release in 2019 (¥5.04 billion), in just eight days, and rocketed past Hollywood releases like Disney’s Moana 2. Ne Zha 2 broke the record for the highest single-day gross of a Chinese animated film, surpassing ¥700 million in just one day. Box office tracker Beacon predicts the film could reach ¥6 billion, which would be a record for Chinese films overall.
Inspired by the tales of the 16th century novel Investiture of the Gods, 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. Fans have praised the pic on social media for its fresh yet authentic take on Chinese mythology, humor, themes of family and identity and visually impressive animation.
The first Ne Zha movie made $725 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in China and the highest-grossing animated film not produced in the U.S. that year, as well as the fourth highest-grossing animated film worldwide in 2019 and the fourth-highest grossing Chinese film of all time.
Well Go Entertainment USA released Ne Zha and Coco Cartoon’s Jiang Ziya (also inspired by Investitutre of the Gods) in North America. According to its international release schedule on IMDb, Ne Zha 2 is set to arrive in the U.S. and Canada on February 14, as well as in Australia, New Zealand and other Oceania markets on Feb. 13.
[Source: Xinhua News]
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