In 2025, the Chinese animated film ‘Ne Zha 2’ became the first to surpass $1 billion at the box office, earning $1.11 billion solely in China. It set a new record for the highest earnings in a single market, previously held by ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’. Directed by Yu Yang, the film follows the deity Taiyi Zhenren as he revives characters from the original ‘Ne Zha’. Its success reflects the growing impact of the Chinese box office on global cinema.
When it comes to major Hollywood releases, hitting the $1 billion mark is a significant milestone. Typically, this achievement is reserved for sequels or films tied to massive franchises such as Marvel or Star Wars. Interestingly, only 58 films have managed to surpass this impressive box office threshold.
In 2024, three films broke through the billion-dollar barrier: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, ‘Inside Out 2’, and ‘Moana 2’. However, other anticipated films like ‘Dune: Part 2’ and ‘Wicked’ fell short of this benchmark. As we look ahead to 2025, one film that premiered on January 29 has already reached this milestone in less than two weeks!
A Chinese Animated Film Breaks Records
The standout film of 2025 that first crossed the $1 billion milestone is a Chinese animated feature titled ‘Ne Zha 2’. This sequel follows the original film ‘Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child’, released in 2019. According to reports from US magazine Variety, ‘Ne Zha 2’ has grossed an impressive $1.11 billion, achieved solely through its domestic release in China.
This remarkable revenue allows ‘Ne Zha 2’ to claim a new record for the highest earnings in a single box office market, previously held by ‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens’, which generated $936.7 million in North America alone.
With ‘Ne Zha 2’ still screening in Chinese theaters and set to debut in select cinemas across the USA, Australia, and Canada, the film is poised to continue its box office success and potentially achieve even more records.
Exploring the Success of ‘Ne Zha 2’
The Story Behind the Demon Baby
‘Ne Zha 2’ tells the tale of a deity named Taiyi Zhenren, who harnesses mystical powers to revive the destroyed bodies of Nezha and Aobing from the first installment. You can catch up on the backstory by watching the original ‘Ne Zha’ film, available for free on DailyMotion.
Like its predecessor, ‘Ne Zha 2’ is directed by Yu Yang. The film features voice talents such as Mo Han, Hao Chen, Yuze Han, and Deshun Wang, known for their roles in ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ and ‘Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame’.
Why Has ‘Ne Zha 2’ Achieved Such Popularity?
It may come as a surprise that a film relatively unknown in the West has reached the top of the box office rankings. Recent blockbusters that crossed the billion-dollar line include household names like ‘Barbie’, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’.
The first ‘Ne Zha’ film was also a massive success, earning $726.2 million without making much of a dent in Western markets.
‘Ne Zha 2’ capitalizes on its release during the Chinese New Year, reflecting the growing significance of the Chinese box office on the global stage.
Whether ‘Ne Zha 2’ will reach German audiences remains uncertain. It may find a spot at the Fantasy Filmfest, but a wide theatrical release in Germany appears unlikely. As for the next Hollywood film to surpass the coveted $1 billion mark, we will soon find out.
Scheduled for February 13, 2025, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ will hit German cinemas, marking the first Marvel release since ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ in July 2024, and it holds great potential. Additionally, ‘Jurassic World: The Rebirth’ might also be in the running to cross that billion-dollar threshold.