The mainland's blockbuster animated film Nezha 2 (Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child) continues to make waves, not only in China but across the globe. With a staggering box office revenue of 100 billion yuan (approximately HK$10.67 billion), the film has become the highest-grossing movie in Chinese history and the first non-Hollywood production to break into the top 20 of global box-office rankings.
A Collaborative Release in Hong Kong and Macau
The film is set to be jointly released in Hong Kong and Macau by four prominent distributors: Mandarin Motion Pictures, Intercontinental Film Distributors (HK), Sil-Metropole Organization, and Emperor Motion Pictures. Their respective cinema chains—Cinema City, MCL, WMOOV, and Emperor Cinemas—will collaborate to bring the movie to audiences in the region. While the exact release date is yet to be confirmed, the distributors are working diligently to ensure the film reaches viewers as soon as possible.
Raymond Wong Pak-ming, director of Mandarin Motion Pictures, expressed his honor in bringing Nezha 2 to the Hong Kong and Macau markets. He highlighted the long-standing partnership between Mandarin Motion Pictures and the film's producer, Enlight Media, and emphasized the pride in introducing such a remarkable Chinese animated film to audiences in the region.
A Cinematic Masterpiece Five Years in the Making
Directed by Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, Nezha 2 is the result of five years of meticulous work. The production involved nearly 140 teams and over 4,000 animators, pushing the boundaries of Chinese animated filmmaking. The film builds on the comedic style of its 2019 predecessor, Nezha, while significantly expanding its scope. It features three times the number of characters and surpasses the original in the number of special effects shots, setting a new standard for animated films in China.
Record-Breaking Success
Since its release during the Chinese New Year holiday, Nezha 2 has dominated the box office, becoming the highest-grossing film in Chinese history and the top-grossing film in a single market globally. Its success has not waned post-holiday; in fact, daily box office earnings have consistently exceeded 500 million yuan, with a peak of 761 million yuan on February 9, accounting for 82% of the market share that day.
The film's impact extends beyond China. In Australia and New Zealand, Nezha 2 set records for the highest number of screenings for a Chinese film in the past two decades, with 116 theaters participating. In North America, the film broke records for the number of screenings (over 700) and the pre-sale box office revenue for a Chinese-language film, excluding films from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Global Recognition and Future Prospects
Nezha 2 has not only captivated Chinese audiences but has also garnered international acclaim. Its success has elevated the standards for the Chinese film industry and set a high bar for future productions. According to Maoyan Entertainment market analyst Lai Li, the film's success has significantly boosted the performance of the 2024 Spring Festival box office and set a positive tone for the year ahead.
With its box office revenue still climbing at an astonishing rate, industry experts predict that Nezha 2could surpass 160 billion yuan in total earnings (excluding overseas markets). If achieved, this would make Nezha 2 the highest-grossing animated film in global history and secure its place as the fifth highest-grossing film of all time.
As Nezha 2 continues to break records and captivate audiences worldwide, it stands as a testament to the growing influence and creativity of Chinese cinema on the global stage.