Ne Zha 2, the latest animated blockbuster from the Chinese mainland, has stormed the global box office, racking up over 15.8 billion yuan (about $2.18 billion) as of May 5, according to ticketing platform Maoyan.
This eye-popping haul propels Ne Zha 2 to the fifth spot in all-time global box office rankings—nestled just behind Hollywood giants Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Titanic. Remarkably, it trails James Cameron's 1997 epic by a razor-thin margin of roughly 60 million yuan (around $8.3 million).
For young global citizens and film buffs alike, Ne Zha 2's rise offers a vivid snapshot of how Chinese mainland storytelling is resonating worldwide. Built on a blend of mythic lore, cutting-edge animation, and universal themes of destiny and self-discovery, the film is an invitation to audiences beyond language barriers.
Its box office explosion underlines a wider trend: local productions from the Chinese mainland are increasingly commanding international screens and redefining the animation landscape. Data shows that in the past decade, animation exports from the Chinese mainland have more than quadrupled, with streaming platforms and global partnerships fueling cross-border reach.
As Ne Zha 2 closes in on Titanic's long-standing record, the next milestone looms large—and so does the promise of a truly global cinema built on shared stories. Could we be on the verge of a new era where Eastern and Western blockbusters share the top podium spots?
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'Ne Zha 2' continues to storm global box office, hits $2.18 billion
cgtn.com
