China’s animated hit “Ne Zha 2” made a strong debut in North America, pulling in $3.1 million on its opening day and earning the 4th spot on the daily box office chart. The movie premiered in North America on February 14, breaking two-decade records for pre-sale earnings and screening numbers for Chinese-language films in the region.
As of 6 p.m. on February 16, “Ne Zha 2” had earned a massive 11.75 billion yuan (around $1.62 billion) globally, including pre-sales and overseas revenue. This achievement places it among the top 11 highest-grossing films worldwide and secures its spot as the second highest-grossing animated movie of all time, just behind “Inside Out 2.”
The film’s North American premiere was in Los Angeles on February 8, 2025. Viewers have praised the movie for its stunning animation, rich cultural themes, and top-tier production quality, often commenting on its ability to offer insight into Chinese culture.
“This is something anyone can enjoy,” said Zac, a moviegoer from the U.S. “You can learn about a culture, and the visuals are absolutely striking. The animation techniques are beautiful, and every screening I’ve been to has been packed. Clearly, there’s a demand for films like this.”
Promotional posters for “Ne Zha 2” have even appeared on LED displays in New York’s Times Square, drawing attention from both fans and passersby.
After watching it in Los Angeles, Oscar judge Sheila Sofian admired the movie, highlighting its exceptional production design, music, and storytelling.
“I was blown away,” she said. “I loved the first movie, but this one goes even further. The production and sound design are incredible, and the story is full of twists and turns. I was engaged the whole time and couldn’t look away.”
Sofian also expressed hope that “Ne Zha 2” would be a contender at the Oscars, where she would have the chance to vote for it.
Another Oscar judge, Alan Ellasof, called the film a major accomplishment, praising its action sequences, emotional depth, and meaningful themes.
Currently, “Ne Zha 2” is being shown in 770 theatres across over 400 cities in 48 U.S. states and 42 cities across 10 provinces in Canada. In Oceania, the movie premiered on February 13 in 124 cinemas, setting a 20-year record for the largest number of screenings for a Chinese-language film in the region.
“Ne Zha 2” has also achieved historic milestones, becoming the first movie to earn over $1 billion in a single market and the first non-Hollywood film to cross $1 billion in global box office revenue.
