"Nezha 2" Takes the Global Box Office by Storm
By Shujiao Guo, MA History
The Chinese animated blockbuster Nezha 2 has taken the global box office by storm. According to the film review site Collider, the movie has surpassed $2 billion in global box office revenue, achieving this unprecedented milestone in just 33 days. The film’s momentum remains strong, with its earnings continuing to climb. On a global scale, Nezha 2 has surpassed Inside Out 2, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in history. Additionally, with a domestic box office of $1.96 billion in China, the film has broken the $936 million single-market record set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens, making it the highest-grossing film in a single country. Currently, Nezha 2 ranks seventh on the all-time global box office chart and is still climbing.
A poster for the original The Legend of Nezha television series (2003-2004).
When people think of Nezha, they often picture a youthful hero standing on fiery wheels（风火轮）, wielding the Cosmic Ring（乾坤圈）and wrapped in the Hun Tian Ling（混天绫）. In battle, he can transform into a six-armed warrior, embodying a rebellious spirit and an unyielding will to fight. Nezha is not only a well-known mythological figure but is also deeply integrated into Chinese daily life. For instance, the children's double-bun hairstyle is often called the "Nezha bun," and many Chinese millennials and Gen Z grew up watching the CCTV animation The Legend of Nezha. As a significant cultural symbol in China, Nezha’s influence is comparable to that of the Monkey King. On the Chinese search engine Baidu, there are over 120 modern literary and cinematic adaptations of Nezha, demonstrating his prominent status in the cultural entertainment industry.
Although Nezha is now considered a key figure in Chinese mythology, his origins are not entirely domestic. His prototype can be traced back to ancient Indian and Persian cultures, specifically the Sanskrit figure “Nalakūvara”, the son of Vaisravana, one of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist mythology. During the late Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 CE), this image was introduced to China through Buddhism and formally appeared in Chinese literature, murals, and sculptures during the Wei and Jin dynasties (220–420 CE). From the Sui (581–618 CE) and Tang (618–907 CE) dynasties to the Song (960–1279 CE) and Yuan (1271–1368 CE) periods, Nezha's story gradually evolved, fully integrating into Chinese culture.
Initially linked to Buddhism, Nezha's image later merged with Confucian and Taoist elements, making him a unique figure within the Chinese cultural framework. His Buddhist ties are evident not only in his Indian origins but also in certain legends where he is depicted as a disciple of Guanyin or even as an incarnation of the Buddha. In Taoism, Nezha is regarded as an important deity, particularly in Taiwan and Southeast Asia, where many Taoist temples still worship him, and his birthday is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (the Double Ninth Festival). Additionally, Confucian ideals are deeply embedded in Nezha’s story. His famous act of "cutting his flesh to return to his mother and removing his bones to return to his father" has been interpreted as an extreme embodiment of filial piety. Furthermore, his role as the vanguard in King Wu’s rebellion against the tyrannical King Zhou in Investiture of the Gods symbolizes Confucian values of loyalty and legitimate governance. His defiance of fate and struggle for self-determination also resonate with the Confucian emphasis on perseverance and personal achievement.
In traditional Chinese culture, Nezha transcends conventional gender distinctions. He is neither strictly male nor female but is instead depicted as an androgynous youth. According to legend, after his self-sacrifice, the Buddha reconstructed his body using lotus roots, making his physical form distinct from that of an ordinary human. This unique aspect further blurs the lines of gender identity, allowing Nezha to resonate with audiences of different ages and backgrounds. As a result, he has become a timeless and universal symbol that continues to captivate people across generations and cultures.
A poster for Nezha 2.
Returning to the film itself, while Nezha 2 has achieved phenomenal box office success, some Western critics argue that its popularity is largely confined to Chinese audiences. Statistics show that over 80% of the film’s revenue comes from the Chinese domestic market, with only 15%–20% generated overseas, mainly from Chinese communities in North America and Southeast Asia. This reflects the powerful sense of cultural identity and pride that Nezha evokes among global Chinese audiences. In particular, Chinese diaspora communities in North America and Australia have embraced Nezha 2 as a symbol of national cultural pride. Moreover, the film’s success is strongly tied to the immense spending power of the Chinese New Year holiday season. Released as a family-friendly animated film during this crucial period, Nezha 2 attracted a broad audience spanning from children to adults, aligning perfectly with holiday viewing preferences. Additionally, technological advancements played a key role in the film’s success. Nezha 2 employs cutting-edge animation techniques and high-quality production standards, delivering a visual experience on par with top-tier international animated films. Finally, in the context of a declining global animation market and weakening competition from Hollywood studios, Nezha 2 quickly seized the opportunity to dominate the box office, becoming the strongest animated release of the season.
With the rise of China’s animation industry, Nezha’s classic image is set to continue evolving and gaining new life. Nezha 2 is not merely a box office triumph; it also exemplifies the growing global influence of Chinese traditional culture, particularly among overseas Chinese communities. The story of Nezha contains profound themes of identity, cultural fusion, and personal resilience, making it a topic worth further exploration. As a literary and cultural icon, Nezha’s journey is far from over—his influence will undoubtedly expand, offering limitless possibilities for the future.
Edited by Ben Bryant