{"id":1980202,"date":"2025-08-26T10:03:53","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T10:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=1980202"},"modified":"2025-08-26T10:03:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T10:03:53","slug":"ne-zha-ii-is-the-biggest-movie-in-the-world-right-now-why-is-that-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/ne-zha-ii-is-the-biggest-movie-in-the-world-right-now-why-is-that-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Ne Zha II is the biggest movie in the world right now. Why is that again?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">When you look at the numbers, they can be difficult to believe. Not only the first non-Hollywood film to gross over $1 billion US, but one that eventually went on to earn over $2.2 billion\u00a0and counting \u2014 with virtually all of that coming\u00a0from its home country of China.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">That makes\u00a0<em>Ne Zha II<\/em>\u00a0the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, even when adjusted for inflation. And it comes in at the fifth highest-grossing movie ever,\u00a0just behind James Cameron&#8217;s <em>Titanic\u00a0\u2014<\/em>\u00a0with considerable runway to surpass it, given an English language dub and theatrical release slated for this Friday.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But\u00a0for those who grew up without knowledge of the mythical demon boy flying around on flaming rings, some aspects of <em>Ne Zha II<\/em>&#8216;s rise can be confusing.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Namely: What is this whole story about? Why does it have everyone, from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@etalkctv\/video\/7533719708156120325\"><u>TikTok<\/u><\/a> to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/02\/10\/business\/china-box-office-ne-zha-2.html\"><u>the New York Times<\/u><\/a> to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2025\/film\/news\/donald-trump-laughs-china-hollywood-movies-1236366364\/\"><u>Donald Trump<\/u><\/a>, talking about China&#8217;s dethroning of Hollywood? Why is it somehow important that one of the main villains is a jungle cat in disguise? And why is the world&#8217;s most famous face suddenly that of a pug-nosed demon baby?<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>WATCH | Ne Zha II trailer:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<span><span class=\"youtube\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ne Zha II | Official Trailer | Experience It In IMAX\u00ae\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iPZYPWdrta4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">When it comes to story, that may actually be the most confusing question \u2014 at least for Westerners who grew up without the character as a cultural touchstone.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">And even though you could theoretically get through the events of the sequel without having seen the first, this really isn&#8217;t the right film to attempt that cinematic feat. Without the years of context gained from growing up with Ne Zha and his relevant cultural backstory, watching the sequel without watching the original would be a bit like jumping into <em>Avengers: Endgame <\/em>without knowing why that big purple guy cared about those shiny rocks.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Luckily, the first film is\u00a0available to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mcFetsBZ9dA\"><u>watch for free on YouTube<\/u><\/a>. But for those determined to watch <em>Ne Zha II <\/em>blind \u2014 or who are just scrambling for a resource before the trailers end \u2014 here&#8217;s a primer.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Breaking down the plot<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Largely adapted from the 16th century Chinese novel <em>Investiture of the Gods<\/em>, the film tells the story of our titular hero Ne Zha. Initially fated to be the reincarnation of the heavenly &#8220;Spirit Pearl,&#8221; the cunning, immortal Shen Gongbao instead made sure Ne Zha was\u00a0crafted\u00a0from the conversely dangerous &#8220;Demon Orb&#8221; \u2014 yin-yang-like parts of a recently destroyed celestial being.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Tragically for Ne Zha, the Demon Orb was fated to be destroyed by heavenly lightning three years after its creation, meaning he\u00a0was marked for death on his third birthday. At the same time, Shen Gongbao \u2014 bitter at perpetually being passed over for promotion in the heavenly court, partially due to the fact he is secretly a shape-shifting tiger-demon \u2014 betrays his masters.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<figure class=\"imageMedia image full\">\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption\">The Dragon King and Shen Gongbao appear in a still from Ne Zha II.<!-- --> <!-- -->(A24)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He takes the Spirit Pearl to the Dragon King, cursed by heaven to guard an army of demons below the sea. Infusing the Dragon King&#8217;s son, Ao Bing, with the Spirit Pearl, the two plan to use that boy to free themselves. Instead, Ne Zha and Ao Bing form a fast friendship, eventually sacrificing themselves to save Ne Zha&#8217;s hometown.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After the destruction of their physical forms, the second movie opens with the two forced to share Ne Zha&#8217;s body. Once again tasked with changing his destiny, Ne Zha opts to take a heavenly trial \u2014 which would grant him access to a magical potion they can use to reform Ao Bing&#8217;s body.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">At the same time, competing schemes from Shen Gongbao, the Dragon King and the current heavenly boss, Wuliang, all come together to complicate\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and then directly compete with\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Ne Zha&#8217;s goals, and\u00a0ultimately what kind of person he sees himself as.<\/p>\n<h2>Story of acceptance<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It&#8217;s a perfect recipe for a story about belonging and destiny; like everything from <em>Hercules<\/em> to <em>Hellboy<\/em>, <em>Ne Zha<\/em> follows a demigod half-human searching for acceptance. And in so drastically transmuting the character&#8217;s original makeup (in <em>Investiture of the Gods<\/em>, Ne Zha is less a loveable rebel and instead <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1V0iRpusyNw\"><u>something far more menacing<\/u><\/a>) he&#8217;s become a beloved cultural totem.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">From an animated TV show, to live-action films, to a prime feature in the recent video game <em>Black Myth: Wukong<\/em>, Ne Zha is a massively popular figure in China.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">And he has held cultural cachet ever since the myth arrived in China,\u00a0adapted from the story of\u00a0Nalakuvara, a character in the Buddhist text <em>Buddhacharita<\/em> that spread through China during the Tang dynasty.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As it spread, it blended various\u00a0philosophies and folklore. The story of Ne Zha\u00a0then came to incorporate leanings from various elements of mythology, military history, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and more.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But perhaps most importantly to his finally finding success outside of his native China\u00a0is the interpretations of good and evil, and fate and self-determination,\u00a0this version of Ne Zha explores.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As in Taoism, <em>Ne <\/em><em>Zha<\/em>\u00a0questions the unilateral interpretation of good and evil: The story&#8217;s hero\u00a0is a demon, while his main opponent is invested with heavenly energy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Much like yin and yang, Taoism teaches that good and evil are not opposed or competing forces.\u00a0Instead, they are interconnected and complementary; each\u00a0a\u00a0necessary part\u00a0making up a neutral whole \u2014 and\u00a0any surety over who\u00a0(or what)\u00a0is wholly righteous or villainous\u00a0is usually a fallacy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Maybe its biggest draw for modern audiences though has been <em>Ne <\/em><em>Zha<\/em>&#8216;s championing of a rebellious spirit\u00a0\u2014 and\u00a0finding worth in benevolence and sincerity, not in the circumstances of your birth.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">China&#8217;s rising confidence<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Those Mohist and Confucianist beliefs helped capture a general mood among audiences of all demographics \u2014 with some believing so fervently <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/east-asia\/china-ne-zha-2-patriotism-netizen-debate-4944701\"><u>not watching is unpatriotic<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that it\u00a0started <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cgl026rw7xpo\" target=\"_blank\">a pseudo-culture war in Chinese theatres<\/a> between <em>Captain America: Brave New World<\/em> and <em>Ne Zha II<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But <em>Ne Zha II<\/em>&#8216;s ensuing success lent a much-needed injection of cash to China&#8217;s film industry. Once struggling with slumping ticket sales and Hollywood domination, <em>Ne Zha II <\/em>seemingly helped to prove China&#8217;s cultural influence abroad.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">And as distribution company A24 bets big by releasing a new\u00a0English-language dub in North American theaters, it&#8217;s being\u00a0viewed as a litmus test on\u00a0whether the ever-growing Chinese box office can not only stop depending on Hollywood at home, but even begin to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/slate.com\/culture\/2025\/08\/ne-zha-2-movie-china-box-office-animation-a24.html\"><u>dominate it abroad<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<figure class=\"imageMedia image full\">\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An animated image of a woman hugging a young child is shown.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.7614702.1755791360!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_1180\/ne-zha-ii.jpg?im=Resize%3D300 300w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.7614702.1755791360!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_1180\/ne-zha-ii.jpg?im=Resize%3D460 460w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.7614702.1755791360!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_1180\/ne-zha-ii.jpg?im=Resize%3D620 620w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.7614702.1755791360!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_1180\/ne-zha-ii.jpg?im=Resize%3D780 780w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.7614702.1755791360!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_1180\/ne-zha-ii.jpg?im=Resize%3D1180 1180w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 300px,(max-width: 460px) 460px,(max-width: 620px) 620px,(max-width: 780px) 780px,(max-width: 1180px) 1180px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.7614702.1755791360!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_1180\/ne-zha-ii.jpg?im=\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.393509127789047\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption\">The characters Lady Yang and Ne Zha are shown. The film Ne Zha II is largely a story of self-worth and acceptance.<!-- --> <!-- -->(A24)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">When it comes to why <em>Ne Zha II<\/em> has picked up steam outside China, the answer is relatively simple: As an action-packed, martial arts, tear-jerking\u00a0(multi-hyphenate) comedy-drama, <em>Ne Zha II <\/em>absolutely deserves the hype.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Building on the success of the impressive, if at times overly juvenile, first film (the fart jokes are thankfully at least halved this time around), the followup is superior in nearly every way.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The story is packed with contrasting plot points and reveals that don&#8217;t leave\u00a0a second of empty space. From its gorgeous animation (the water physics alone are something to drool over), to stunning fight choreography, <em>Ne Zha II <\/em>whipsaws from crisis to crisis like a beaver during flood season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">And when the dam finally does break, do the floodwaters ever come:\u00a0Just try to keep from crying during the heart-piercing curse in the Tianyuan Cauldron. I dare you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cbc.ca \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you look at the numbers, they can be difficult to believe. Not only the first non-Hollywood film to gross over $1 billion US, but one that eventually went on to earn over $2.2 billion\u00a0and counting \u2014 with virtually all of that coming\u00a0from its home country of China. That makes\u00a0Ne Zha II\u00a0the highest-grossing animated movie [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1980203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1980202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ne-Zha-II-is-the-biggest-movie-in-the-world.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1980202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1980202"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1980202\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1980203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1980202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1980202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1980202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}