Ne Zha 2 | Guide to China’s Highest-Grossing Movie Ever

Feb 19, 2025

Chinese Movie Ne Zha 2 | Learn Chinese with That's Mandarin

This article introduces a Chinese animated movie Ne Zha 2, providing a spoiler-free overview of the storyline and characters 🍿

Ne Zha 2 has taken the Chinese film industry by storm, smashing box office records, and becoming the first non-Hollywood film to hit $1 billion. Here’s what you need to know about China’s highest-grossing movie ever 🎬

Ne Zha 2 Q&A

Q: What’s the Ne Zha Story About?

Ne Zha 2 is the sequel to the 2019 animated hit Ne Zha, continuing the tale of Ne Zha (哪吒, Nézhā), a legendary figure from Chinese mythology.

In this story, Nezha and Ao Bing discover that while their souls have been saved, their physical forms are at risk of disintegrating. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the magical Seven-Colored Lotus to restore their bodies, the two heroes must face a series of new challenges.

哪吒之魔童闹海
Nézhā: Zhī Mótóng Nào Hǎi
Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea

Q: Where is the Idea of Ne Zha From?

The movie is inspired by the ancient Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods (封神演义, Fēngshén Yǎnyì), a story of gods, heroes, and myths.

封神演义
Fēngshén Yǎnyì
The Investiture of the Gods

Q: Who’s the Director of Ne Zha?

The movie was directed by Jiaozi, also known as Yang Yu. He’s a self-taught animator who found his passion for animation while studying pharmacy at university.

饺子/杨宇
Jiǎozi/Yáng Yǔ
Jiaozi/Yang Yu

Q: Who Are the Main Characters in Ne Zha?

Not to spoil the story too much, here are a few important characters of the story:

📌 Ne Zha

Ne Zha is the main character who continues to struggle with his destiny, facing new challenges that test his strength and maturity.

哪吒
Nézhā
Ne Zha

brave, fearless, and mischievous;
a strong sense of justice and responsibility;
good sense of humor.

📌 Ao Bing

Ao Bing plays a crucial role in the story, showcasing his inner conflict between loyalty to his clan and his friendship with Ne Zha.

敖丙
Áo Bǐng
Ao Bing

third prince of the East Sea Dragon Kin;
deeply loyal and compassionate.

📌 Taiyi Zhenren

Taiyi Zhenren, a mentor who guides Ne Zha in mastering his powers, carefully trained Ne Zha and granted him many magical treasures.

太乙真人
Tàiyǐ Zhēnrén
Taiyi Zhenren

humorous personality;
carefree and unrestrained.

📌 Ao Guang

A dangerous and significant antagonist in the story, one of Ne Zha’s main adversaries.

敖光
Áo Guāng
Ao Guang

known for his brutality and cruelty;
has immense power and authority;
strong desire for control.

Q: Why Is Ne Zha 2 So Popular?

Many netizens say it was not easy to get a ticket for Ne Zha 2, and many fans have been urging for more showings on social media. The movie has also sparked a rise in tourism to locations related to Ne Zha, such as Yibin in Sichuan and Tianjin.

Here’s why the film was a huge success:

🎬 Amazing Visuals
Critics have lauded the film’s special effects and animation quality, noting significant advancements since the first movie.

🎬 Engaging Storyline
The narrative blends traditional mythology with contemporary themes, making it both fun and meaningful.

🎬 Immersive Experience
The movie offers a look into Chinese culture with beautiful landscapes and traditional elements.

Q: What About Ne Zha Merch Craze?

Thanks to the film’s success, official merchandise and toys associated with the film also became best-selling across stores in China.

Pop Mart’s* blind boxes (盲盒, mánghé), featuring characters from Ne Zha 2, became a massive hit. Within just 8 days, they raked in over 10 million yuan. Some of these collectible boxes quickly tripled in price on resale platforms like 闲鱼 (Xiányú).

*Pop Mart is a Chinese toy company known for selling collectible ‘designer’ toy boxes, where the contents are hidden until opened.

Take it Further

With the film’s soaring popularity, there’s been a surge in searches for cultural tourism destinations linked to Ne Zha landmarks. Here are a few places you can visit to fully immerse yourself in the world of these iconic characters.

01. Yibin in Sichuan

Yibin, located in Sichuan, is known as the “First City of the Yangtze River” and is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage.

宜宾
Yíbīn
Yibin

If you happen to be in Yibin, make sure to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the city, explore its historical temples, and take in the stunning river views.

02. Qianyuan Mountain in Sichuan

With the growing popularity of “Ne Zha 2”, the number of tourists to Qianyuan Mountain, the “happy hometown” of Taiyi Zhenren in the film, has increased significantly.

This originally quiet Taoist mountain has become a check-in place for many tourists during the Spring Festival.