'Ne Zha 2' set for full release in Hong Kong and Macao from Feb. 22
(ECNS) -- Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 will be released in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions from Feb. 22, the China Film Administration announced on Tuesday.
The film is scheduled to premiere in Hong Kong on Tuesday and in Macao on Wednesday, ahead of its full release.
According to the latest data from tracker Beacon, Ne Zha 2 has grossed over 12.256 billion yuan ($1.68 billion) globally, surpassing the 2015 American sci-fi action film Jurassic World to become the first Asian film to enter the top nine of the global box office chart.
Since its Spring Festival debut in the Chinese mainland, the animation has earned widespread acclaim and achieved significant box office success, breaking multiple records in both Chinese and global film history.
It became China’s highest-grossing film on Feb. 6 and the most-viewed film in the country’s history on Feb. 9. By Feb. 13, its global box office revenue had reached 10 billion yuan.
The film is a sequel to the animated feature "Ne Zha," which was praised for its groundbreaking animation and storytelling. The original film grossed over 5 billion yuan and topped the Chinese box office chart in 2019.
The sequel continues the story of the mythical Chinese hero Ne Zha, known for his rebellious spirit and battles against the forces of evil. It follows the plot of Ne Zha and Ao Bing, whose souls are saved while their physical bodies face disintegration.
With the help of the immortal Taoist Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes embark on a new adventure.
The success of the Ne Zha series is seen as a milestone for China’s animation industry, which is increasingly gaining global recognition for its innovation and creativity.