The Chinese box office continues to be dominated by the unprecedented success of Ne Zha 2, which has solidified its position as a cultural and financial phenomenon. Over the weekend of February 21–23, the film raked in an impressive RMB 1.1 billion ($152.9 million), bringing its total earnings in China to a staggering $1.89 billion since its release on January 29. Produced by Enlight Pictures and Cococartoon, Ne Zha 2 has not only shattered numerous box office records but has also become the highest-grossing film in Chinese history. Its continued dominance underscores the power of local storytelling and the growing appetite for high-quality animation in the Chinese market.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Ne Zha 2’s success is its performance in IMAX theaters. The film added $15.2 million to its IMAX earnings over the weekend, pushing its global IMAX total to $131 million in just 26 days. This achievement places it as the ninth highest-grossing IMAX release of all time and the highest-grossing animated IMAX film ever, surpassing The Polar Express by an impressive 69%. The film’s success has also contributed to a record-breaking Lunar New Year slate for IMAX, with total earnings reaching $150 million, a significant portion of which can be attributed to Ne Zha 2. This milestone highlights the growing importance of premium formats like IMAX in China’s rapidly evolving film industry.
While Ne Zha 2 remains the undisputed champion of the box office, other films are struggling to find space in its shadow. Detective Chinatown 1900, produced by As One Production, managed to secure the second spot with $11.7 million over the weekend, bringing its total earnings to $464.7 million. Despite its strong performance, the film’s success is somewhat overshadowed by the juggernaut that is Ne Zha 2. The Detective Chinatown series has long been a staple of China’s mystery-comedy genre, and while its latest installment continues to perform well, it faces an uphill battle in competing with the cultural juggernaut of Ne Zha 2.
In third place, Boonie Bears 11, produced by Fantawild Animation, earned $3.3 million, bringing its total to $106.1 million. The Boonie Bears franchise has been a consistent performer in China, particularly among family audiences, who continue to flock to theaters for its lighthearted and entertaining storylines. While its earnings are modest compared to Ne Zha 2, the film’s steady performance is a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise and the importance of animated content in China’s box office.
The weekend also saw the debut of Your Color, a Japanese anime film distributed by Story (JP), which opened in fourth place with $1.8 million. While the film’s earnings were not groundbreaking, its inclusion in the top five highlights the growing diversity of content in Chinese theaters and the increasing reception of international films, particularly anime, among Chinese audiences. Meanwhile, Creation of the Gods 2, distributed by Beijing Culture, rounded out the top five with $1.6 million, bringing its total to $164.3 million. Despite its slowing momentum, the film remains one of the stronger performers among the Lunar New Year releases.
The overall box office for the weekend totaled $178.1 million, pushing China’s 2025 box office total to $3.06 billion, a remarkable 74.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Much of this growth can be attributed to the extraordinary success of Ne Zha 2, which continues to defy expectations and reshape the landscape of China’s film industry. With its historic run showing no signs of slowing down, Ne Zha 2 is on track to lead China to one of its strongest first quarters in years, fueled not only by local blockbusters but also by the expanding footprint of premium formats like IMAX. As the industry continues to evolve, films like Ne Zha 2 are setting a new standard for what is possible in Chinese cinema, both in terms of storytelling and box office success.
