.@XHNews reports on the success of #NeZha2 (now at $1,635,655,583 globally) in cinemas worldwide and in the North American market citing our exclusive @Comscore @csMoviesUS @CSGlobalMovies data. https://t.co/8DrEIXtpjs
Data from measurement firm Comscore showed on Sunday that the…— Paul Dergarabedian (@PDergarabedian) February 18, 2025
The Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” has taken the box office by storm, surpassing $1.6 billion in total earnings and setting new Imax records. The film, released by Enlight Pictures, earned RMB1.98 billion ($275.3 million) over the Feb. 14–16 weekend, bringing its total to $1.64 billion.
Chinese toon juggernaut #NeZha2 finally opened at North American #boxoffice and ranked #4 FRI with strong $3M incl pre-shows from only 660 thtrs. Excellent 99% RT aud score. China gross at staggering $1.5B and climbing! Look for $6M+ US 3-day wknd in Top 5 & $7M+ 4-day. #NeZha
— Gitesh Pandya (TikTok @gitesh.pandya) (@GiteshPandya) February 15, 2025
“Ne Zha 2” is now the highest-grossing Imax release in China of all time, topping “Avengers: Endgame.” The film contributed $22 million to Imax’s weekend total in China, marking a 21% increase from the previous weekend. Its Imax earnings have reached $104 million through Sunday and $106 million through Monday, making it one of the top global Imax performers ever. The film’s $22 million Imax haul over the weekend is now the third-highest third-weekend global performance for a single Imax title, trailing only “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.” “Ne Zha 2” is also expected to break into the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time, currently poised to overtake “The Lion King.”
Apart from record debut in the US, Chinese juggernaut #NeZha2 also hit both #Australia & #NewZealand scoring the biggest opening weekend for Chinese films in both markets, debuting at this past weekend’s Top3 in both markets grossing $1.5M & $330k in their respective #BoxOffice. pic.twitter.com/b3b6xgjmKI
— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) February 17, 2025
In second place at the Chinese box office, As One Production’s latest entry in a hit comedy-mystery franchise earned $26 million over the weekend, pushing its total to $443.8 million.
Marvel entered the Chinese box office race of 2025 with a new release earning $10.6 million on its opening weekend, securing third place. The weekend’s total box office hit $327.9 million, slightly below the previous week’s $330 million, bringing China’s 2025 cumulative gross to $2.77 billion, a 95.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The Lunar New Year slate has set new Imax records, with total earnings reaching $121 million through Sunday, nearly double the previous record of $66 million set in 2023.
“Ne Zha 2” premiered in 660 theaters, drawing significant attention for its rich storytelling and stunning visuals.
ne Zha’s Imax success
The film’s release has seen a strong response from fans and critics alike, making it one of the most talked-about releases in recent times.
Following its record-breaking run in China, “Ne Zha 2” has now headed overseas, with wide releases in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday and North America on Friday. It became an instant hit among the Chinese diaspora–many rushed to snap up presale tickets days in advance and lined up for its premieres. The sequel to a 2019 box office champion, “Ne Zha 2” faced few serious competitors upon its release at the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, a peak cinema-going time for the whole family in China.
Drawing on a 16th-century novel, the film features characters familiar to Chinese audiences of all ages but offers fresh takes that resonate with the young generation. The movie was made entirely in China, involving 138 animation companies and more than 4,000 crew members. Its director Yang Yu revealed that he initially approached international production teams for some key scenes, but the results fell short of expectations.
China’s animation industry has come a long way. In a market where generations of audiences grew up watching movies from Hollywood’s Disney and Pixar and Japan’s Studio Ghibli, a growing number of domestic animations have broken through in recent years, especially those championing traditional culture. However, “Ne Zha 2” faces a major challenge in gaining a strong foothold in overseas markets, where it will compete with the newly released “Captain America: Brave New World.” And beyond the Chinese diaspora, it may struggle to connect with a broader international audience, viewers and experts say.
