Since its release on January 29, 2025, in mainland China, "Ne Zha: The Devil's Disciple" has shattered global box office records, surpassing $1.698 billion USD (approximately HKD 132.44 billion) and overtaking "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide. According to data from Lighthouse Professional Edition, the film's box office continues to rise, with final projections expecting it to exceed 15 billion RMB (around HKD 16.2 billion), establishing it as the new king of global animated movies.
Directed by Jiaozi, "Nezha: The Devil's Birth" (hereafter referred to as "Nezha 2") continues the universe established in the previous film. The story follows Nezha and Ao Bing as they face a heavenly tribulation, where their souls remain but are on the brink of disappearing. Taiyi Zhenren attempts to use the Seven Color Lotus to reshape their bodies, encountering multiple challenges along the way. Compared to the 2019 release of "Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child," this installment boasts a significant upgrade in production quality. Data shows that the previous film had 1,864 shots, with 1,400 of those being special effects shots. In contrast, "Nezha 2" features a total of 2,437 shots, of which a remarkable 1,948 are special effects shots, clearly enhancing the visual experience.
"Nezha 2" has made a remarkable impact in the Chinese market, while also achieving success on a global scale. Many overseas fans praise its technical standards, claiming they have reached international levels, even rivaling the works of animation giants from the US and Japan. However, some skeptics question the authenticity of these box office figures, suggesting that the film's earnings largely depend on internal support from the Chinese market to reach such impressive heights. On social media, the clash between supporters and critics has sparked intense discussions, yet the box office performance remains an undeniable fact.
The outstanding box office performance of "Nezha 2" has garnered widespread attention from international media. Some foreign outlets are surprised by the film's success, considering it quite difficult to break through the dominance of American animation giants like Disney and Pixar in such a competitive market. Industry insiders generally believe that the next animated film likely to challenge the box office champion will be "Super Mario Bros. Movie 2," set to release in April 2026.
