Ne Zha 2 Shatters China Box Office Records with $1 Billion Haul
Beijing Enlight Media Co.'s animated sequel "Ne Zha 2" has set a new box office record in China, grossing over $1 billion in its first 10 days of release. The film surpassed 7.7 billion yuan (approximately $1.17 billion) in earnings as of Sunday, according to ticketing site Maoyan.
"Ne Zha 2" has eclipsed the previous top-grossing movie, "The Battle at Lake Changjin," and relegated the original 2019 "Ne Zha" to fifth place on the all-time list. The film's success underscores the dominance of domestic titles in the Chinese cinema landscape, with occasional exceptions such as the "Avengers" and "Fast & Furious" franchises.
Propelled by its spectacular visual effects and resonant characters, "Ne Zha 2" has become a social media sensation, with posts celebrating its success trending on Weibo throughout the week. The film's popularity has not only boosted Beijing Enlight Media's shares by over 40% but has also contributed to increased pre-orders for a related art book.
The success of "Ne Zha 2" marks a rebound for the Chinese box office, which experienced a 23% decline in 2024. It also aligns with the Chinese government's efforts to stimulate domestic consumption, with movies playing a role in attracting consumers to malls.
While Hollywood productions have faced challenges in gaining a foothold in the Chinese market, the number of foreign films released in the country rose in 2024. Notably, Walt Disney Co.'s "Deadpool & Wolverine" and Hayao Miyazaki's "The Boy and the Heron" performed well, demonstrating the government's ongoing agenda to boost the local film industry while allowing foreign films to access the lucrative Chinese market.