China’s Highest-Grossing Film Ever: Ne Zha 2
In a cinematic showdown of epic proportions, an animated film featuring a young boy wielding magical powers to battle demons has emerged victorious as China’s highest-grossing film ever, sparking a wave of national pride across the country.
Ne Zha 2, a film based on a Chinese mythological character, has shattered records by raking in over 8 billion yuan ($1.1bn; £910m) during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, according to ticket sales tracker Maoyan.
This stunning achievement eclipses the previous record held by 2021’s The Battle of Lake Changjin, a propaganda film chronicling the 1950s Korean War, which amassed a formidable $900m at the box office.
Regarded as a symbol of progress in China’s film industry, Ne Zha 2 has proven that locally-produced films can compete on a global scale, challenging the dominance of Hollywood despite the country’s massive domestic market.
Following its triumphant domestic run, Ne Zha 2 is set to captivate audiences overseas next week, with screenings planned in the US, Canada, and Australia.
To Chinese viewers, the film represents a triumph of Chinese animation and a reimagining of traditional mythology in a contemporary context, earning accolades such as, “It not only showcases the strong power of Chinese animation after its rise, but also demonstrates the infinite possibilities of traditional Chinese mythology in the modern context,” as one review on IMDB declares.
Anticipation is mounting as some speculate that Ne Zha 2 could potentially surpass the world’s highest-grossing film of all time, 2009’s Avatar, with hopes of another $1bn in box office revenue.
As movie ticket sales in China soar during the Lunar New Year festivities, the success of Ne Zha 2 underscores a significant increase in consumer spending, a trend that Chinese authorities have been eager to promote.
In addition to setting a new box-office benchmark in China, Ne Zha 2 has achieved a remarkable milestone as the first movie ever to cross $1bn in a single market, according to Hollywood publication Deadline.
Praised for its compelling script and dazzling visual effects, Ne Zha 2 has captured the hearts of audiences, leading to a surge in demand for figurines of the movie’s characters and packed cinemas with eager fans.
Building on the success of its predecessor, the 2019 film Ne Zha, which grossed over $725m and ranks as China’s fifth highest-grossing film of all time, Ne Zha 2 stands as a testament to the growing influence and creativity of Chinese cinema. — BBC
