Record-Breaking Success of ‘Ne Zha 2’ Amongst International Animated Films

“Ne Zha 2” has achieved a record-breaking gross of $1.1 billion in China, becoming the first film to surpass $1 billion in a single market. This success places it as the seventh highest-grossing animated feature worldwide. Disney’s “Mufasa” and “Paddington in Peru” also show stellar performance with significant earnings. IMAX admissions for “Ne Zha 2” have set records, enhancing its historical standing in cinema.

The international box office has been significantly impacted by the remarkable performance of the Chinese film “Ne Zha 2,” which has made history as the first movie to gross over $1 billion in a single market, reaching approximately $1.1 billion in China as of Sunday. This impressive figure positions the film as the seventh highest-grossing animated film worldwide, with projections now suggesting it could reach a total gross of RMB 12 billion ($1.65 billion). Such success would elevate “Ne Zha 2” to the status of the second highest-grossing animated film globally, without accounting for its imminent rollouts in markets outside China.

The film also set a record for IMAX, becoming the highest-grossing local language release in the format’s history, grossing $63.9 million in just 12 days. Meanwhile, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” continues to perform strongly overseas, accumulating $671 million globally after an additional $8.5 million in a recent weekend. The international box office for “Mufasa” has made significant gains in key markets, including France and the UK, suggesting a potential worldwide total nearing $700 million.

Additionally, “Paddington in Peru” has surpassed $100 million at the overseas box office, including $7.5 million from the past weekend, positioning it well prior to its upcoming North American debut. The film has enjoyed notable success in various markets and is set for further releases in Korea and Japan. Furthermore, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s “Dog Man” has expanded to 41 markets and is working towards a global total, which currently stands at $66 million, following its latest earnings of $6.6 million.

The UK market has welcomed a new competitor, debuting at $4 million, surpassing various animated titles from previous years. With key markets such as Brazil and Australia still on the horizon, the animated offerings in 2023 continue to demonstrate strong global interest and competition among released films.

In summary, the international box office has underscored the exceptional performance of “Ne Zha 2,” solidifying its status as a record-breaking animated feature in China. The ongoing success of titles such as “Mufasa” and “Paddington in Peru” further exemplifies the robust market dynamics, with each title positioned for significant final grosses as they expand into new regions. The animated film sector continues to thrive globally, promising continued excitement for audiences and stakeholders alike.

Original Source: deadline.com