Marvel Studios’ latest adventure, Captain America: Brave New World, premiered across the United States on Valentine’s Day and has already grossed $208 million worldwide, making it the third-highest-grossing film of 2025. However, a Chinese animated movie has stolen the spotlight from the Marvel universe flagship. Since its release, Ne Zha 2: Devil Boy of the Sea has broken records almost daily and is now trailing Peter Jackson’s Avatar, the highest-grossing movie of all time.
Breaking Records Day After Day
Premiering in China on 29 January during the Lunar New Year, Ne Zha 2 made history by becoming the first non-American film to enter the ‘billionaire’s club’, grossing over $1 billion in just two weeks—and exclusively in China. Since then, the movie has continued to break records. With ticket sales exceeding 12.3 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) and counting, it is not only the most successful Chinese film in history but also the highest earner in any single market, surpassing the previous record of $936 million held by Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the United States. On Thursday Ne Zha 2 became the highest-grossing animated movie ever, surpassing Inside Out 2, a 2024 release that generated $1.69 billion. All this in only 21 days.
‘Ne Zha 2 became the highest-grossing animated movie ever, surpassing Inside Out 2’
Ne Zha 2 is now closely trailing Avatar to become the highest-grossing movie of all time, with a realistic chance of overtaking it. Currently standing at $1.7 billion, it would, however, need a significant boost to catch up with the iconic movie’s $2.9 billion. Nevertheless, optimism remains high, as the movie has yet to premiere in Europe and only recently began screening in Hong Kong, Macao, and other regions of China outside the mainland. The film premiered in the United States on 12 February and has since expanded to markets such as Australia and New Zealand. According to CMC Pictures, the movie surpassed 100 million Chinese yuan (approximately $13.8 million) in overseas box office revenue on Friday, making it the largest release ever for a Chinese-language film from the mainland.
What’s Behind the Success?
Ne Zha 2 is the sequel to 2019’s hit Nezha, which tells the story of a well-known character from Chinese mythology—a young boy with special powers who rebels against the divine hierarchy and his own destiny. The plot is based on a story from the 16th-century novel Fengshen yanyi (The Investiture of the Gods), though the filmmakers have taken a rather loose interpretation of the tradition. This modern adaptation may be the key to the film’s popularity: the boy who slays a wide variety of dragons, monsters, and ghosts is beloved by Chinese audiences of all ages.
‘By blending ancient wisdom with modern storytelling, Ne Zha 2 resonates globally’
By reworking the classic tale using state-of-the-art animation techniques and contemporary storytelling methods, the film appeals to both traditional and modern viewers. Directed by Yang Yu (also known as Jiaozi), the production involved 138 animation company employees who worked on the film over five years, making Ne Zha 2 the most expensive Chinese animation ever made.
However, as noted by The Conversation, the film’s appeal goes beyond its stunning visuals and action-packed sequences. It offers a reimagined narrative rooted in Chinese mythology and philosophy, drawing from Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism to explore themes of identity, free will, and rebellion. By blending ancient wisdom with modern storytelling, Ne Zha 2 resonates globally while proudly showcasing Eastern cultural heritage.
‘Captain America Must Die in China’
With the release of Captain America’s latest sequel, Ne Zha 2 has also become a symbol of Chinese national pride and patriotism. Movie fans—particularly on social media—often clash while defending their favourites, and Ne Zha 2 is no exception. The Marvel film has become a primary target of these online debates. ‘I don’t care if Ne Zha 2 can survive overseas, but Captain America 4 must die in China,’ reads a slogan frequently repeated across social media posts. As tensions between the United States and China dominate global politics, their effects are increasingly felt in the movie industry. In one instance, a cinema in Sichuan province decided to hold off screenings of Captain America’s latest sequel in order to support Ne Zha 2. This wave of patriotism has significantly impacted Marvel’s box office performance in China: of the $92 million the film has earned outside the United States, only $10.6 million has come from China—Hollywood’s largest overseas market.
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