John Tones
WriterI've been writing about culture for twenty-something years and, at Xataka, I cover everything related to movies, video games, TV shows, comics, and pop culture.
In just 10 days, the Chinese fantasy film Ne Zha 2 grossed more than $1 billion. Now that it’s surpassed $20 billion, it’s already become the third highest-grossing animated film in history, only behind a few Hollywood giants. This raises questions about the significance and self-sufficiency of the Chinese box office, which, in many ways, outshines the U.S. and the international box offices.
Through the roof. Ne Zha 2 first hit theaters in China on Jan. 29 and amassed $671 million in just one week. At that time, it seemed poised to achieve a few milestones effortlessly. First, it was likely going to become the first Chinese feature film (animated or live-action) to surpass the $1 billion mark. Second, many believed it’d be the first film to do so in a single country.
Disney’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens had previously grossed $936 million in the U.S. during its debut weekend. This milestone was quickly passed. Ne Zha 2 has been released very sporadically outside of China. For instance, it opened in the U.S. on Feb. 14 in only 660 theaters. However, it’s already grossed $1.37 billion in China box office alone.
Two milestones. Ne Zha 2 aims to surpass two animated films: The Super Mario Bros. Movie, currently in second place, and Inside Out 2, which grossed $1.7 billion in 2024. This target is just within reach for the Chinese movie, and will probably achieve it within its origin country. Notably, it’s already become the highest-grossing film ever in China and ranks 17th on the list of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Chinese power. The Chinese box office’s global importance is perhaps even more important than the figures themselves. As mentioned earlier, it’s the first Chinese film to break into the top 20 of the world box office. Estimates suggest it could reach around $2.2 billion as it settles in international markets, placing it alongside Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the two Avatarfilms, Avengers: Endgame, and Titanic.
Mao Ning, the director-general of China’s Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy, shared on X: “#NeZha2 hits [$1.37 billion] at the box office, setting a new all-time record in Chinese film history! Proud to have contributed my small share to its success.”
The tables have turned. For years, the Chinese box office was seen as a lucrative market for Hollywood. The American film industry sought to appeal to Chinese audiences by incorporating elements into films that resonated with their interests. Examples included casting Chinese stars, setting scenes in Beijing or Shanghai, and including Chinese brands through product placements.
However, the situation has changed: The Chinese box office has become self-sufficient and operates independently.
A Chinese storm. Interestingly, it’s not just that the Chinese box office is thriving. Hollywood has struggled to regain its footing. In 2023, the two biggest box office hits of the year, Barbie and Oppenheimer, didn’t even make it into the top 30 in China. Meanwhile, Chinese films have proven to be highly exportable. In 2024, two Chinese productions were among the most-watched globally: YOLO and Pegasus 2.
This trend has been developing since 2021. It’s bolstered by government support that includes controlling distribution, favoring local productions, and scheduling release dates for international films to avoid competition with major local releases. This carefully crafted environment has now set the stage for China’s potential global dominance. In fact, it’s already impacting franchises like Captain America.
Image | CMC Pictures
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