In an unexpected box office shakeup, Ne Zha 2 has officially dethroned Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated movie ever, achieving this milestone in just 20 days. While Inside Out 2 was a global hit and topped the 2024 box office, Ne Zha 2’s explosive success has rewritten records, proving the growing dominance of Chinese-made animated films.
Ne Zha 2 Beats Inside Out 2’s Record in Less Than 3 Weeks
Ne Zha 2, the sequel to the 2019 animated film Ne Zha, has taken the box office by storm, grossing $1.7 billion (via The Numbers). This total surpasses Inside Out 2, which also earned just under $1.7 billion but took significantly longer to do so.
Why Is Ne Zha 2 So Successful?
Strong storytelling & cultural relevance – Based on the classic Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods, Ne Zha 2 resonates deeply with Chinese audiences.
High demand & nostalgia – The first Ne Zha film was a hit, and fans eagerly awaited the sequel.
Perfect release timing – The movie launched during the Lunar New Year, one of China’s biggest moviegoing periods.
Ne Zha 2’s early success suggests it could soon reach $2 billion, making it a contender for a spot among the top five highest-grossing movies of all time.
How Ne Zha 2’s Box Office Differs from Inside Out 2
Unlike Inside Out 2, which performed strongly worldwide, Ne Zha 2’s earnings come almost entirely from China. According to Reuters, a staggering 99% of Ne Zha 2’s revenue is from the Chinese market alone.
| Film | Total Gross | China Box Office | Global Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ne Zha 2 | $1.7B+ | 99% from China | Limited outside China |
| Inside Out 2 | $1.7B | $47M from China | Global hit |
Why Didn’t Inside Out 2 Perform Well in China?
- Cultural appeal – Inside Out 2 was made for Western audiences, while Ne Zha 2 is deeply rooted in Chinese folklore.
- Limited streaming exposure – Inside Out 2’s predecessor was widely available on streaming, but Disney films have less exposure in China.
- Hollywood struggles in China – American movies face competition from locally produced blockbusters, and Chinese audiences often prefer domestic films.
Ne Zha 2 Proves Hollywood’s Limits in the Chinese Market
For years, Hollywood attempted to tap into China’s massive film industry, but success has been inconsistent. Ne Zha 2’s dominance over Inside Out 2 highlights the power of Chinese-made films in their home market.
Key Takeaways:
- China’s box office dominance – With a 1.4 billion population, Chinese films have a huge local audience.
- Hollywood’s declining influence – Western studios struggle to market and distribute films effectively in China.
- Future of global animation – Ne Zha 2’s success may inspire more China-focused films, shifting the animation industry’s center of power.
How High Can Ne Zha 2’s Box Office Go?
As of now, Ne Zha 2 ranks as the 8th highest-grossing movie of all time. If it surpasses $2 billion, it could move into the top five and join Hollywood titans like Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, and Titanic.
With its international release just beginning, Ne Zha 2 still has room to grow, and its final box office total remains uncertain.
Will Ne Zha 2 reach $2 billion? Given its current trajectory, it seems very likely!
