Ne Zha 2 continues its record-breaking run at the box office. The film crossed $2 billion earlier this month and has now overtaken Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time.

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Box office milestone

By the end of its 43rd day in cinemas, Ne Zha 2 had amassed a staggering $2.071 billion, surpassing The Force Awakens at $2.06 billion. The vast majority of its earnings came from the Chinese box office, with only $30 million generated from international markets due to its limited overseas release.

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A monumental production

With a reported budget of $80 million, Ne Zha 2 was a massive undertaking. More than 4,000 artists across 138 animation studios contributed to its production. Directed by Jiaozi, the film is a sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha and is based on the classic novel Investiture of the Gods.

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What is Ne Zha 2 about?

The film follows the legendary hero Ne Zha as he battles the formidable Dragon Kings to defend the fortress of Chentangguan. Released in cinemas on 29 January 2025, Ne Zha 2 has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics and audiences.

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Impact on the Chinese box office

The success of Ne Zha 2, alongside other major releases such as Detective Chinatown 1900, Boonie Bears: Future Reborn, Creation of the Gods, and Operation Hadal, has pushed the total Chinese box office past the $2 billion mark.

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