Chinese film ‘Nezha 2’ becomes world’s highest-grossing animated movie

BEIJING  — Chinese animated blockbuster “Nezha 2” overtook Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” on Tuesday to become the highest-grossing animated film globally, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan.

“Nezha 2” has amassed a total box office of 12.3 billion yuan ($1.69 billion) including pre-sales and overseas earnings, making it the eighth-highest box office film globally.

Over 99% of “Nezha 2”’s box office income has come from mainland China, starkly in contrast to Hollywood films, which typically rely on a more global distribution strategy.

“Nezha 2” is a sequel to the 2019 hit “Nezha.” The film is based on a 16th-century Chinese novel “The Investiture of the Gods,” depicting a hero boy with magic power who tries to defend Chentangguan, a fortress town.

Directed by Sichuan-born director Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, the film propelled the 2025 Lunar New Year box office in the country to an all-time high.