“Nezha 2” Poised to Hit 15 Billion Yuan at the Box Office

As of 15:00 on February 9, data from the Maoyan Professional Edition platform shows that Nezha: The Devil’s Fury (hereinafter referred to as Nezha 2) has already grossed over 7.8 billion yuan (including presales). The film has now entered the top 50 of the global box office rankings and the top 10 of the global animated film box office rankings, with its numbers continuing to climb.

Record-Breaking Box Office Performance

Industry insiders predict that Nezha 2 could potentially surpass 15 billion yuan in total box office revenue. Currently, the film has already outperformed Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4, securing the 7th spot on the global animated film box office chart. Notably, it is the first non-Hollywood animated film to break into the top 10 of this prestigious list.

Additionally, Nezha 2 has climbed into the top 50 of the global all-time box office rankings, surpassing Joker to claim the 39th position. It is also the only non-Hollywood film on this list.

According to the latest predictions from Maoyan Professional Edition, Nezha 2 is expected to reach a final box office total of 10.87 billion yuan. If achieved, this would place it as the second-highest-grossing animated film globally, behind only Frozen II, and the 13th highest-grossing film of all time, trailing Furious 7.

Following a surge in presales on February 8, some industry experts have even more ambitious predictions, suggesting the film could ultimately gross 15 billion yuan. If this milestone is reached, Nezha 2 would become the highest-grossing animated film in history and rank among the top 6 highest-grossing films globally, rivaling Star Wars: The Force Awakens and trailing only Titanic.

A Series of Historic Achievements

Nezha 2 has already shattered numerous records, including becoming the highest-grossing film in Chinese box office history, topping the global single-market box office chart, breaking Hollywood’s dominance, and entering the “7 billion yuan club.” It is also the first Asian film to break into the top 50 of the global box office rankings.

The film’s overwhelming popularity has led to some theaters scheduling over 30 screenings per day. In smaller cities, where cinemas often rely on the Spring Festival season for a significant portion of their annual revenue, the influx of audiences has left staff both exhausted and exhilarated. One theater manager humorously lamented, “I’m numb. I could sleep for three days straight. When will the box office numbers drop? I can’t keep up!”

According to Red Star News, many theater managers in smaller cities have reported being overwhelmed by the demand. In some cases, employees have been stationed at popcorn machines non-stop, and some theaters have even run out of popcorn supplies, requiring them to borrow from neighboring cinemas. Manufacturers of 3D glasses have also reported shortages, with one stating, “The whole world is looking for 3D glasses.”

However, most theater managers agree that while Nezha 2 has brought unprecedented business during the Spring Festival, it alone cannot “save” struggling cinemas in smaller cities. The performance of films following the Spring Festival season remains crucial. One industry insider remarked, “Audiences are willing to go to the cinema when there are good films. We hope to see more films like Nezha 2 in the future.”

International Success: Nezha 2 Goes Global

Following its massive success in China, Nezha 2 is set to premiere in the United States, Australia, and other countries. According to Xinhua News Agency, the film will begin its U.S. release on February 12, with screenings in multiple cities. In New York’s Times Square, large advertisements for Nezha 2 have already captured public attention. Although the official release is still days away, many screenings are already sold out.

The film has also sparked discussions on American social media platforms, with The Hollywood Reporter covering its impressive performance during the Chinese New Year period. Due to overwhelming demand, several U.S. theaters have added additional screenings, with an IMAX preview event scheduled for February 12.

The Rise of Chinese IPs on the Global Stage

In recent years, several Chinese IPs have gained international recognition, such as Genshin Impact (2020), Honkai: Star Rail (2023), and Black Myth: Wukong (2023).

But how can Chinese film IPs overcome cultural barriers and achieve global success? What innovations are needed in content creation and marketing strategies? To explore these questions, Daily Economic News interviewed Mu Ling, Deputy Director of the National Film Think Tank at the Beijing Film Academy, and Gong Qiang, Director of the IP Cultural Creativity Committee of the Sichuan Cultural and Creative Industry Alliance.

Gong Qiang suggested that Chinese films could adopt a “local core, global shell” model similar to Marvel’s approach, embedding universal themes such as the shared future of humanity into traditional narratives to create globally resonant cultural symbols. He also emphasized the importance of leveraging advanced digital technologies, such as AI-driven cultural adaptation algorithms, to analyze emotional resonance points across different markets and enhance the precision of content creation and marketing strategies.

Mu Ling added that Chinese filmmakers should focus on shared cultural themes, such as family, friendship, love, and justice, to foster cross-cultural emotional connections. She highlighted the importance of telling Chinese stories through an international lens, combining Chinese elements with global appeal while avoiding cultural misunderstandings.

“Nezha 2 is an excellent example,” Mu Ling noted. “On IMDb, the film has already garnered an 8.2 rating before its international release, thanks to its universal themes, strong storytelling, and high production quality.”

IP Films Dominate: A Sign of a Mature Film Industry

This year’s Spring Festival season has seen a surge in high-profile IP films, with Nezha 2 leading the pack. Data from the Maoyan Professional Edition shows that franchise films have become increasingly dominant during the Spring Festival period. For example, in 2018, the top five highest-grossing films during the holiday were all part of established franchises, contributing to a 69% year-on-year increase in box office revenue.

Gong Qiang believes this trend reflects significant progress in China’s film industry, particularly in IP commercialization and industrial standardization. “By leveraging the concentrated consumer demand during the Spring Festival, studios can use established IPs to create a closed loop of content templates, audience expectations, and market feedback, effectively mitigating risks. However, this also squeezes the market space for smaller, independent films.”

Mu Ling echoed this sentiment, noting that the prevalence of big IP sequels during the Spring Festival is a sign of the maturity of China’s film industry. “One hallmark of industrialization is standardization, which seeks safety, control, and high returns. This naturally leads to the adaptation, repetition, and serialization of successful IPs.”

The Future of Chinese Film IPs

As China’s film industry continues to mature, IP-driven films are expected to play an increasingly important role. Beyond the Spring Festival season, franchise films have also dominated other key periods, such as the summer and holiday seasons. This year, in addition to Nezha 2, other highly anticipated sequels include Detective Chinatown 4 and Creation of the Gods II: The Battle of West Qi.

From an investment perspective, IP adaptations and sequels offer unique advantages, including established fan bases, reduced production costs through the reuse of digital assets, and the potential for multi-dimensional development, such as games, merchandise, and theme park attractions. For example, the success of Nezha: The Devil’s Fury has already led to a surge in demand for related merchandise, with blind boxes and collectible figurines selling out rapidly.

In conclusion, Nezha 2 is not just a box office phenomenon but a testament to the growing strength and global appeal of China’s film industry. As Chinese filmmakers continue to innovate and refine their craft, the world can expect to see more groundbreaking stories that resonate across cultures and borders.