A24 is teaming up with China to launch the English-language version of “Ne Zha 2,” the animated blockbuster that’s been breaking records overseas.
The dubbed version, set to hit theaters August 22 in the U.S, will feature Michelle Yeoh lending her voice to one of the lead roles. Expect releases in Imax, 3D, and other premium formats — the full bells and whistles rollout.
“Ne Zha 2” has already claimed its place in the record books: $2.2 billion worldwide and counting, surpassing “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated feature of all time. It’s now the fifth biggest film in box office history, with nearly every dollar coming from China’s mainland, where it debuted during the Lunar New Year and immediately caught fire.
How did this happen? There are many theories out there, and its well-timed release during the Chinese new year, on February 14, is one of them. I’ve heard some people claim that the Chinese government cooked the books, so to speak, on this one, and exaggerated the numbers — although there’s no concrete evidence.
Yet, “Ne Zha 2,” which already had a small box office rollout in the US, only earned $19M — a tiny fraction of the China total — in North America. Of course, for a foreign language film, that’s a strong gross. On Rotten Tomatoes, 25 critics reviewed the film.
“Ne Zha 2,” which has been described as a “144 minute barrage of mythological mayhem” is said to have a “cavalcade of supporting characters,” “infantile humor” and “state of the art eye-popping animation.”
The film, which roughly translates to “The Devil’s Child,” draws inspiration from the mythological figure Ne Zha, a character deeply rooted in Chinese folklore. While its high-octane, modern reimagining of ancient tales has struck a chord with domestic audiences, that same cultural specificity may limit its impact overseas—particularly in the U.S., where the myth and its emotional weight aren’t as familiar.
Have any of our readers seen “Ne Zha 2”? Is it worth a look? Curious to read your thoughts on this landmark Chinese film.