Chinese animation blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" is a huge success in China and globally, boosting industry growth.

From CNBC: 2025-02-25 21:48:58

Chinese animation blockbuster Nezha 2 was released in late January alongside other films for the Spring Festival holiday, marking success in the industry. The film “Chang An” earned $250 million in 2023, with plans for two movie releases annually starting in 2026. The studio, Light Chaser Animation, is expanding and moving to a new office.

Light Chaser Animation in Beijing has over 380 employees and follows a three-year production plan for all its movies. The upcoming film “Curious Tales of a Temple” re-tells Chinese ghost stories and is set for a global release. The studio aims to appeal to global audiences and is in talks with Hollywood players for international distribution.

“Ne Zha 2” became a hit in China and worldwide, surpassing Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” in ticket sales. The success of Chinese animated films has been growing in the last decade, with films like “Big Fish and Begonia” making waves. State support and subsidies have helped boost the industry, with plans for China to become a major cinematic player by 2035.

The makers of “Ne Zha 2” collaborated with various studios, while government subsidies have supported domestic animation. The national plan for China includes producing 50 films a year with sales of at least 100 million yuan each. While Hollywood films have seen waning interest in China, Chinese animated series are gaining popularity, with adaptations based on online content.

Read more: The record-breaking run of ‘Ne Zha 2’ may seem like a surprise. It shouldn’t be