At a Glance
- Ne Zha 2 tops 2025 worldwide earnings with $2.2B
- Surpasses Disney’s Inside Out 2 record of $1.7B
- Proves Chinese animation can dominate global box office
- Why it matters: Shows international films can lead the global market
The year’s blockbuster sequels dominated the box office, but the unexpected champion was the Chinese animated sequel Ne Zha 2, which earned $2.2 billion worldwide.
## Ne Zha 2 Takes the Crown
Ne Zha 2 earned $2.2 billion, nearly double the runner-up Zootopia 2‘s $1.3 billion, and broke the previous animated-film record held by Inside Out 2.
The film’s success was highlighted by critics:
News Of Philadelphia
> “Epic battle scenes and spellbinding graphics – and a dose of symbolism – have enticed Chinese audiences to the cinema in their millions.”
> “The sequel is certainly a stupendous achievement in terms of its animation, and clearly has great cultural resonance in its native country.”
- Record-breaking gross
- Double the previous animated record
- International acclaim
## International Impact and Release Strategy
An English dub by A24, featuring Michelle Yeoh and other voice actors, was released in August, expanding the film’s reach. It later became available to stream on HBO Max.
| Film | Worldwide Gross | Record? |
|---|---|---|
| Ne Zha 2 | $2.2 billion | Yes |
| Inside Out 2 | $1.7 billion | Yes |
| Zootopia 2 | $1.3 billion | No |
Previous record holders include Barbie (2023, $1.4 billion), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022, $2.3 billion), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021, $1.9 billion).
Key Takeaways
- Ne Zha 2 shattered the animated-film earnings record.
- Chinese animation can top the global box office.
- English dub and streaming broadened its audience.
The 2025 box-office landscape proves that a non-Western animated film can claim the top spot worldwide.
