'Ne Zha 2' receives high ratings ahead of overseas release
(ECNS) -- Chinese animated feature Ne Zha 2 has emerged as the biggest box office success of this year’s Spring Festival, generating buzz overseas even before its official release.
As of 9 a.m. on Tuesday, the film boasts an impressive 8.3 out of 10 rating on the international review platform IMDb. Notably, 52.1 percent of viewers rated it a perfect 10, while 14.2 percent gave it a 9.
The film premiered in Sydney on Monday to a full house in the IMAX theater, capturing the audience’s enthusiasm. After the screening, many overseas audiences praised its impressive animation techniques, Lichi News reported.
The latest online statistics show that Ne Zha 2 has surpassed 8.7 billion yuan ($1.191 billion) in total box office revenue, making it the only non-Hollywood film to break into the top 30 of the global box office rankings.
In the United States, Ne Zha 2 holds a rating of 7.7, with 56.4 percent of viewers giving it a 10. The film is set to begin special screenings in North America on Wednesday, before its official release on Friday.
Ahead of its U.S. debut, Ne Zha 2 has already sold out most screenings, with some shows fully booked. The film is also scheduled to release in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea on Thursday.
Additionally, the blockbuster will premiere in several other countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan, Japan, and South Korea.
It is estimated that Ne Zha 2 will reach a total box office revenue of 14.25 billion yuan ($1.95 billion), with the film expected to top the global animated film box office chart and potentially enter the top seven of the all-time global box office rankings.