Why ‘Ne Zha 2’ Is a Must-Watch Movie During Its U.S. Theater Rerelease

When we think about some of the biggest cinematic successes of all time, it’s easy to focus on the North American box office and the endless onslaught of movies Hollywood is constantly churning out. While there’s no denying that masterpieces like Titanic, Avatar, and Avengers: Endgame are some of the entertainment industry’s most lucrative hits, there’s one dark horse from overseas that is shattering records both inside and outside of China. The animated adventure Ne Zha 2 serves as a sequel to its 2019 film and is surpassing the original in nearly every way.

Inspired by the Chinese mythological figure Nezha, a protector deity, the film follows Ne Zha and his loyal friend Ao Bing as they are reborn after being struck together by godly lightning. The duo embarks on an epic journey to restore harmony to the world and fulfill their destinies before it’s too late. Ne Zha 2 has already grossed over $2.2 billion, and an English dub is set to be released in the U.S. on August 22, 2025, which will only add to its spectacular performance.

The Spellbinding Chinese Tale Continues With ‘Ne Zha 2’

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After the overwhelming critical and commercial success of the 2019 animated movie Ne Zha, director Jiaozi set out to recapture its magic with the exciting sequel Ne Zha 2. The story picks up immediately after the events of the original, where Ne Zha and Ao Bing were struck by heavenly lightning, destroying their mortal bodies. To prevent their souls from dying, Master Taiyi Zhenren uses the mystical Seven-Colored Sacred Lotus to regenerate their bodies, leaving Taiyi severely weakened. The duo must face a dangerous series of trials to fulfill their destinies and protect all of humanity from the sinister Master Shen.

Based on Xu Zhonglin’s 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods, the film continues exploring the legend of Nezha (the reincarnation of the Demon Orb) and his complex relationship with Ao Bing (the third prince of the East Sea Dragon Kin), as their true loyalties are tested after bonding in the original movie. Jiaozi set out to make the sequel bigger, bolder, and even more wonderfully over-the-top with vibrant visuals and immersive worldbuilding, and it’s no wonder that the animated hit is steadily shattering box office records all around the world.

‘Ne Zha 2’ Smashes Global Box Office Records and Makes History

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When Ne Zha 2 made its debut on January 29, 2025, its box office earnings reached 1.1 billion yuan within just three days, becoming the first movie to reach 1 billion yuan (US$137 million) at the box office during the Chinese New Year. It ultimately became the highest-grossing film in a single box office territory. It claimed the title from Inside Out 2 as the most financially successful animated movie of all time globally, with its current earnings at $2.217 billion. As if that feat wasn’t impressive enough, Ne Zha 2 also became the first animated film to surpass the $2 billion mark and is now the fifth highest-grossing release in cinema history.

Aside from its staggering box office earnings, Ne Zha 2 has garnered universal praise from both Chinese and Western audiences for its stunning animation, poignant storyline, and its inspiring overall message, with the film nabbing a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and a near-perfect 99% Popcornmeter from fans. The incorporation of Chinese culture and mythology, as well as its masterful handling of heavy themes like the power of family, friendship, and the pursuit of identity, has helped the film resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and Ne Zha 2 has truly become a gateway for a refreshing cultural exchange.

Both Ne Zha and Ne Zha 2 each took five years to come to fruition, and 138 animation companies and more than 4,000 people contributed to the film’s creation. For the sequel, director Jiaozi incorporated Chinese aesthetics and elements into the upgraded character designs. The production team also expanded beyond the original source material to craft their own origin story for the mythological figure Nezha. Coinciding the animated film’s release with the Chinese New Year was a wise decision, as audiences flocked to theaters to celebrate the holiday, helping Ne Zha 2 become an exceptional win for Chinese cinema.

The unprecedented success of Ne Zha 2 subsequently led to the upcoming release of an English dub set to premiere in the United States on August 22, 2025, which will feature the vocal talents of Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh. Its expansion into the West will not only help the film continue to dominate the box office, but it will also allow other eager moviegoers to experience the visual feast that is the animated hit, as the fantasy epic is a spellbinding technical wonder. It is rare that a sequel is able to surpass the legacy and impact of the original, but Ne Zha 2 has done so spectacularly. An English dub of Ne Zha 2 will premiere in U.S. theaters on August 22, 2025.

Ne Zha 2

Release Date

January 29, 2025

Runtime

144 minutes

Director

Yang Yu

Writers

Yang Yu

Producers

Liu Wenzhang

• Lü Yanting

  Young Nezha (voice)

• Joseph

  Youth Nezha/Jie Jie Shou Zuo (voice)

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