Nezha: The Devil’s Fury cements China’s animation prowess
"Nezha: The Devil's Fury" Smashes Global Box Office Records with 8.2 Billion Yuan, Redefining Chinese Cinema
February 10, 2025 — The Chinese animated blockbuster Nezha: The Devil's Fury (referred to as Nezha 2) has stormed global box offices since its Lunar New Year debut, rewriting cinematic history. As of February 10, its total global earnings (including pre-sales) have soared to 8.2 billion yuan (approximately $1.17 billion USD), surpassing Hollywood giants like The Dark Knight Rises and securing a spot in the Top 35 Global Box Office Charts—the first Asian film ever to achieve this milestone
Box Office Triumph: Breaking Barriers
- Domestic Dominance:
The film shattered China’s 50-billion-yuan mark in just 7 days, setting a new record for the fastest-grossing domestic release By February 9, it had drawn 160 million viewers, topping China’s all-time attendance charts - Global Impact:
As a single-market release, Nezha 2 outperformed Star Wars: The Force Awakens with $1.15 billion in China alone - Globally, it ranks among the Top 10 Animated Films of All Time, standing as the sole non-Hollywood entry
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Narrative Depth: Challenging Myths, Exploring Humanity
The sequel amplifies its predecessor’s theme of rebellion while delving into moral ambiguity:
- Blurring Good and Evil:
The clash between undersea demons and celestial "hunters" dismantles traditional binaries, portraying demons as defenders of their homeland and immortals as tools of power—a bold critique of systemic oppression - Complex Characters:
Antihero Shen Gongbao fights against racial prejudice, while the flamboyant Stone Witch and subversive villain Wuliang Xianweng redefine villainy with layered motivations - Visual Mastery:
From shape-shifting dragon kings to particle-effect-enhanced "Three Heads, Six Arms" sequences, the film’s visuals have been hailed as "burning through GPUs frame by frame" -
Cultural Diplomacy: Igniting Global Passion
The North American premiere on February 8 at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre drew hundreds, accompanied by a "Joyful Spring Festival Intangible Cultural Heritage Bazaar" featuring sugar painting, paper-cutting, and martial arts demonstrations Set for a Valentine’s Day U.S. release, pre-sold screenings report over 90% occupancy, with sold-out shows in major cities
