Singer actress Xu JiaqiSource: Weibo
Friday, 21 February 2025
'Ne Zha 2' premieres in Hong Kong as box office surges #Entertainment #China #Beauty #Pretty
(Xinhua) The much-awaited Chinese mainland's animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" premiered on Tuesday night in Hong Kong and was scheduled to officially hit Hong Kong theaters on Saturday.
A sequel to the 2019 hit "Ne Zha 1," "Ne Zha 2" continues to build on the beloved Chinese mythology surrounding the character and has been celebrated as a milestone for Chinese animation. It has already garnered significant attention in both Hong Kong and Macao, breaking records for the number of distributors and daily screenings for a Chinese mainland film in Hong Kong.
"We are honored to bring this world-class, phenomenon-level animation to Hong Kong and Macao, allowing viewers to experience the charm of Ne Zha in theaters," said a representative with Emperor Motion Pictures, a co-distributor of the film, hoping that "Ne Zha 2" will be loved here as much as in the Chinese mainland.
Since its release in the Chinese mainland during the Chinese New Year, "Ne Zha 2" has proved a smashing success at the box office, with total earnings worldwide, including pre-sales, surpassing 12.3 billion Chinese yuan ($1.72 billion) as of Tuesday evening.
This figure positions the film ahead of "Inside Out 2," making it the highest-grossing animated film globally.
Source: Xinhua | Updated: 2025-02-19 09:36
Thursday, 20 February 2025
How Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" becomes global box office sensation #Entertainment #China #Beauty #Pretty
(Xinhua) "Ne Zha 2," the animated blockbuster that has dominated China's box office, is igniting a global frenzy with its seamless fusion of traditional Chinese mythology and innovative animation storytelling.
The film was officially released in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea on Thursday and hit the big screen in North America the next day, sparking much demand. Additional releases are planned in other countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan, Japan and South Korea.
On social media, #NeZha2 is trending, with fans calling it "visually stunning" and "emotionally powerful." The film's IMDb rating stands at 8.3 to date, reflecting its universal appeal.
How did the animated movie, based on ancient Chinese mythology, become an international box office sensation?
EXQUISITE ANIMATION PRODUCTION
"Ne Zha 2" has captivated audiences with its state-of-the-art visual effects -- an area once dominated by Hollywood productions.
By leveraging advanced technologies, such as GPU rendering and artificial intelligence, the film achieves a level of visual sophistication that rivals that of Hollywood films.
With around 2,000 special effects shots and 10,000 special effects elements, the film's visual grandeur has blended with traditional Chinese aesthetics, like misty landscapes inspired by traditional ink paintings, creating a visually immersive experience that resonates globally.
The film's technical brilliance, as seen in breathtaking sequences, such as the climactic battle at Tianyuan Ding and the transformation of Ne Zha's physical form, exemplifies the significant advancement of China's animation industry through the marriage of artistry and technology.
With contributions from 138 animation studios, "the film showcases the collaborative power of China's creative ecosystem and heralds an upgrade in both the film industry and its aesthetic standards," noted Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Theatre at Peking University.
GLOBAL APPEAL
Inspired by the 16th-century Chinese mythological novel, "The Investiture of the Gods," "Ne Zha 2" portrays its protagonist as a rebellious boy-god blending contemporary themes of identity, resilience and social justice, a narrative that has struck a chord with global audiences.
Emotional appeal is a critical factor. The film's emotional core -- family bonds, friendship, and societal marginalization -- transcends cultural barriers. As one U.S. viewer noted, "Ne Zha's struggle mirrors my own battles against prejudice."
Director Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, has emphasized that the international success of Chinese cinema hinges on the intrinsic charm of the works themselves. "It's about whether a script, a story and its characters can move audiences worldwide," he said.
"Ne Zha 2," with its universal themes and emotional depth, is a compelling example of how Chinese cinema can achieve this.
Robert King, a Hollywood producer, praised the film's success in China and its cultural significance. He said "Ne Zha 2" could become a contender for international awards in multiple categories, including foreign film and animation. "This little rascal Ne Zha will resonate with Hollywood," he said.
WIDE AUDIENCE SUPPORT
The film, with English subtitles, has been well-received by overseas Chinese communities, whose overwhelming support -- evidenced by positive social media comments and demands for more screenings -- has been pivotal to its global momentum.
For many overseas Chinese viewers, "Ne Zha 2" offers a sense of cultural pride and nostalgia, resonating deeply with their cultural identity.
Angela Yu, from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and living in the U.S. for nearly 18 years, said the production was top-notch and the story captivated her every second, noting that "this is the best cure I've had in recent years."
A lady, who gave her surname as Lai, said that she was deeply moved by the film, crying and laughing while watching it.
"Compared with the century-old Hollywood, Chinese films started late but have made rapid progress in recent years," she said.
It is clear that in many ways, "Ne Zha 2" is more than just a film; it's a cultural milestone. Its success reflects the dynamism of China's creative industries, the enduring appeal of its cultural heritage, and the potential for Chinese stories to captivate audiences all over the world.
Having amassed over 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in global total earnings, including presales, "Ne Zha 2" is the first film to gross 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.
With domestic earnings projected to surge past 15 billion yuan, the film stands poised to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time and one of the five top-grossing films globally.
Source: Xinhua 2025-02-18 07:39:58
"Ne Zha 2" becomes highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally #Entertainment #China #Beauty #Pretty
(Xinhua) Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has dethroned Disney's 2024 picture "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally.
As of Tuesday evening, the film's worldwide earnings, including presales, surpassed 12.319 billion yuan (about 1.72 billion U.S. dollars), according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan.
This milestone comes just 20 days after its release on Jan. 29 during the Chinese New Year and a mere day after it entered the all-time global box office top 10.
The achievement adds to an impressive list of records for the film, including being the first to gross 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club. Current projections from Maoyan and box office tracker Beacon suggest that the film is on track to surpass 15 billion yuan in total domestic earnings.
Shattering multiple records, "Ne Zha 2" has significantly raised the ceiling for single-film earnings, said Lai Li, a Maoyan analyst. "This success has not only boosted the confidence of creators but also showcased the resilience and immense growth potential of the Chinese market."
The film's monumental success is set to deliver substantial commercial returns for its production company, Enlight Media, and its director, Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi. Enlight's stock price has surged in recent weeks, reflecting investor optimism.
Jiaozi, a self-taught animator and former pharmacy student, has become a symbol of perseverance and dedication within China's creative community. His story of relentless efforts and pursuit of excellence in crafting the "Ne Zha" series has resonated with many.
"Ne Zha 2" marks a striking leap forward from its predecessor, the animated hit "Ne Zha," which grossed 5 billion yuan to top the Chinese box office charts in 2019. The sequel continues the tale of Nezha, the iconic boy god from Chinese mythology. After their souls are saved, Nezha and his ally Aobing struggle to maintain their physical forms. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, the two must navigate a series of challenges to rebuild their bodies and secure their fate.
The film's rich storytelling, paired with jaw-dropping visuals, has captured audiences' imaginations, while the film's themes of defiance, fate and self-confidence resonate universally. Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, lauded the film for skillfully blending traditional Chinese mythology with modern storytelling, creating a narrative that speaks to contemporary sensibilities.
Alongside its cultural depth, "Ne Zha 2" has garnered widespread praise for its technical mastery. Featuring around 2,000 special effects shots and contributions from 138 animation studios, the film exemplifies the collaborative power of China's creative ecosystem and heralds an upgrade in both the film industry and its aesthetic standards, noted Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Theatre at Peking University.
In a video interview, Jiaozi reflected on the personal journey the "Ne Zha" films have taken him on, revealing how the series has evolved from his own passion into a broad cultural phenomenon.
"The first step was creating something I loved, and domestic audiences loved it too," he said. "Over time, I've worked to improve it, to refine my craft. I believe that one day, new ideas, deeper meanings and new soul will emerge from it, and the whole world will be able to appreciate it."
The triumph of "Ne Zha 2" also underscores the growing appetite for homegrown content among Chinese audiences. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional culture, fueled by a sense of national pride and a desire for stories that reflect China's unique heritage. According to Shi Anbin, director of the Israel Epstein Center for Global Media and Communication at Tsinghua University, films like "Ne Zha 2" and video games like "Black Myth: Wukong" are part of a broader cultural renaissance in which ancient tales are reimagined through a modern lens.
Industry analysts have hailed the film's success as a testament to the vitality, appeal and creative strength of Chinese culture.
Largely driven by "Ne Zha 2," China's box office revenue during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday hit a record high, injecting much-needed optimism into the country's film industry, which saw earnings fall by 23 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, and by 34 percent from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
Beyond its domestic success, "Ne Zha 2" is poised to serve as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences a window into China's rich mythology and traditions. The film has already opened in overseas markets, such as Australia, New Zealand and North America, where it has received critical acclaim.
"It blew my mind," said Sheila Sofian, a professor at the University of Southern California and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, praising the film, particularly for its production design, sound design and music, in a video interview shared by China Media Group.
Highlighting the film's universal themes, she added, "We could all connect with them."
Source: Xinhua 2025-02-18 22:35:45
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