by Xinhua writer Zhang Yunlong

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese animated sensation "Ne Zha 2" has made history once again, surpassing Disney's 2019 "The Lion King" to secure a spot among the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time globally.

According to ticketing platform Maoyan, as of early Monday afternoon, the film's global earnings -- including presales -- had reached 12.05 billion yuan (about 1.68 billion U.S. dollars), exceeding "The Lion King"'s 1.66 billion U.S. dollars.

Achieved on the 20th day after the film's release on Jan. 29, Chinese New Year, this milestone adds to an impressive list of achievements. "Ne Zha 2" had already become the first film to gross over 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market, and the first non-Hollywood film to enter the coveted billion-dollar club. Current projections from Maoyan and box office trackers suggest that the film is on track to surpass 15 billion yuan in total domestic earnings.

Industry analysts have pointed to the film's success as a testament to the vitality, global appeal, and creative strength of Chinese culture.

Directed by Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, the film marks a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the animated hit "Ne Zha," which grossed 5 billion yuan to top the Chinese box office charts in 2019.

The sequel continues the tale of Nezha, the iconic boy god from Chinese mythology. After their souls are saved, Nezha and his ally Aobing struggle to maintain their physical forms. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, the two must navigate a series of challenges to rebuild their bodies and secure their fate.

The rich storytelling, paired with jaw-dropping visuals, has captured audiences' imaginations, while the film's themes of defiance, fate and self-confidence resonate universally.

Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, praised the film for skillfully blending traditional Chinese mythology with modern storytelling, creating a narrative that speaks to contemporary sensibilities.

Alongside its cultural depth, "Ne Zha 2" has earned widespread acclaim for its technical mastery. Featuring around 2,000 special effects shots and contributions from 138 animation studios, "the film showcases the collaborative power of China's creative ecosystem and heralds an upgrade in both the film industry and its aesthetic standards," noted Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Theatre at Peking University.

The success of "Ne Zha 2" also highlights the growing appetite for homegrown content among Chinese audiences. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional culture, fueled by a sense of national pride and a desire for stories that reflect China's unique heritage.

According to Shi Anbin, director of the Israel Epstein Center for Global Media and Communication at Tsinghua University, films like "Ne Zha 2" and video games like "Black Myth: Wukong" are part of a broader cultural renaissance in which ancient tales are reimagined through a modern lens.

Largely driven by "Ne Zha 2," China's box office revenue during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday hit a record high, injecting much-needed optimism into the country's film industry, which faced a challenging year in 2024 when earnings dropped 23 percent from 2023 and 34 percent from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.

Beyond its domestic success, "Ne Zha 2" is poised to serve as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences a glimpse into China's rich mythology and traditions. The film has already opened in Australia and New Zealand as well as in North America.

"It blew my mind," said Sheila Sofian, a professor at the University of Southern California and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, lauding the film for its production design, sound design and music, in a video interview shared by China Media Group.

Highlighting the film's universal themes, she added, "We could all connect with them."