CBN Special丨“Ne Zha 2” makes “hiss-tory” in Year of the Snake

Hello! Welcome to this edition of CBN Friday Special. I’m Stephanie Li.It's still pretty early into 2025, but we have already witnessed a few record-breaking moments in Chinese film history.China's 2025 Spring Festival box office has surpassed 11 billion yuan as of Thursday (including revenue after the 8-day holiday), ranking first globally – a landmark achievement for Chinese film industry.Despite a quiet month at the box office in most of the world, theaters in China, on the other hand, are all about that festive Chinese New Year vibe. Cinemas are overflowing with patrons who are eager to see what wonders await them in the cinema.The country's box office revenue during the 8-day-long holiday reached a record 9.51 billion yuan, with nationwide movie attendance hitting an all-time high of 187 million people, setting new records for the Spring Festival season. The daily box office has exceeded 1 billion yuan for six consecutive days since January 29, when six films targeting the holiday season were released.Spanning genres including mythology, comedy and action, the films on the top of the box office chart were all domestic productions.In particular, an animated sequel stands as the biggest movie of the year overall — and it's not even remotely close. To say that it had a big opening would be a dramatic understatement. Over the Chinese New Year holiday, the animated film had already amassed over 4.8 billion yuan. I’m sure you’ve guessed what it is. "Ne Zha 2”, the sequel to 2019's blockbuster "Ne Zha,” which was also among the top 5 in box office revenue in Chinese film history, has officially overtaken the record of “The Battle at Lake Changjin” at 5.775 billion yuan (USD792.86 million) to top China’s box office chart on Thursday. The figure is still growing, standing at 6.4 billion yuan as of Friday noon. Analysts from ticketing platform Beacon even predicted that the film will potentially gross 9.5 billion yuan.Stock price of its distributor, Enlight Media, skyrocketed 42 percent in the two trading days following the holiday break.The sequel has also been strong on IMAX and passed Hollywood’s "Inside Out 2" (USD653 million) to become the biggest animated movie ever in a single country. This is an absolute monster in a global perspective."Blockbusters are back in China, in a bigger way than even the most optimistic among us could've imagined," said Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax.Ne Zha's story has evolved over time, from the ancientCreation of the Godsto the modern catchphrase "I am the master of my own fate." This character is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and with the help of cutting-edge technology, Ne Zha is more alive than ever. It's a sign of national pride and a testament to how Chinese culture keeps innovating and shining brightly.“Ne Zha 2” is just part of what is boosting China's box office right now. Last year, the entire global box office totaled USD30 billion, which was less than what Netflix alone produced in revenue.The Chinese New Year box office topped last year's record is indeed a much-needed shot in the arm for the industry after experiencing a somewhat gloomy 2024. The desire for the big screen experience rages on.Behind the successDirected by Yang Yu, widely known as Jiaozi, the film features Ne Zha, a popular young hero in Chinese ­legends and literature such as the literary classic “Journey to the West.”Born with unique powers, Ne Zha finds himself as an outcast who is feared and even hated. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the boy must choose between good and evil.The success of “Ne Zha 2” goes beyond just its box office numbers - it has sparked widespread emotional connections with viewers. The movie's portrayal of complex relationships, especially familial bonds and friendships, resonates with audiences, particularly during the Spring Festival, a time when family reunion is a central theme.For many, the film's themes of self-identity, overcoming obstacles, and finding one's purpose mirrored the personal challenges they face in their own lives.For example, the character of Shen Gongbao, the movie's antagonist, also contributed significantly to the film's emotional impact. Many viewers expressed their emotional reactions on social media, with Shen becoming a trending topic on Sina Weibo.In addition to the compelling narrative, the film also delivers a powerful visual experience. Film industry experts praised the seamless integration of traditional Eastern aesthetics with “hardcore” animation techniques in the movie, which the producers of sequel are touting the film as a "dimensional upgrade" from its predecessor.From Ne Zha diving into the sea to parting the waters in a dazzling display of power, the film raises the stakes in both scale and ambition, particularly in its complex water animations.Redefining Chinese animationChen Changjiang, executive producer of “Ne Zha 2,” emphasized the importance of telling culturally rich Chinese stories requires the expertise of local teams.As China's computer-generated imaging industry rapidly advances, homegrown teams are at the forefront, blending cutting-edge technology with deep cultural knowledge to bring iconic stories to life for both domestic and global audiences.When speaking of its stunning visuals and universal storytelling, Chen said the team was not touching the ceiling of Chinese animation. It was touching the ceiling of film production’s visual effects technology.The making of “Ne Zha 2” is constantly pushing the boundaries of visual effects, not treating it as an animation, but as a movie, she added.The secret to the film’s success can be summed up in two sentences from its director. One is, "We're living in a great era that gives us the chance to do what we love." The other is, "Treat every project like it's your last, and leave no room for regrets."With a team of over 4,000 people, 1,900 special effects shots, and three years spent perfecting just one scene, “Ne Zha 2” is a labor of love. It shows how China's animation industry has come a long way, from catching up in technology to building a thriving ecosystem."Chinese IPs" are quietly changing the game in global animation, bringing fresh Eastern aesthetics and cultural depth. What audiences around the world see is Chinese filmmakers telling Chinese stories with Chinese aesthetics and values.