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Movie-goers wait to watch Ne Zha 2in a theater in Shanghai on January 29, 2025. Photo: VCG

Traditionally a prime time for movie-goers, this year's Spring Festival holiday set a new record for the same period in the country's film industry history, resulting in a robust opening for the Chinese film market. A particular standout in the season's cinematic offerings was Ne Zha 2, which not only delivered strong box office results, but also earned widespread acclaim, cementing its place as the top contender of the holiday season.

China's Spring Festival box office, running from January 28 to February 4, hit a record of 9.7 billion yuan ($1.35 billion), and the champion is obvious. Data from film data platform Maoyan showed, Ne Zha 2contributed more than 5 billion yuan, more than a half of the total box office takings, and secured a rating of 8.5 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban, the highest among all the movies screened during the Spring Festival holiday season.

The Global Times spoke with film critics to analyze the reasons behind Ne Zha 2's high box office performance and positive reviews, learning that the film not only matches the 2019 Ne Zhain terms of production quality, with stunning visuals and an engaging storyline, but also draws on traditional Chinese mythological stories, integrates unique Eastern aesthetics, and resonates emotionally with viewers.

Behind the success

Directed by Yang Yu, widely known as Jiaozi, the film features Ne Zha, a popular young hero in Chinese ­legends and literature such as the literary classic Journey to the West. Born with unique powers, Ne Zha finds himself as an outcast who is feared and even hated. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the boy must choose between good and evil.

In addition to the high quality of the animation and its compelling narrative, the film also delivers a powerful visual experience. 

Shi Wenxue, a film industry expert and a veteran culture critic, has praised the seamless integration of traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern animation techniques in the movie. 

"This not only appeals to the younger generation, but also evokes a sense of national pride among audiences when they watch," Shi told the Global Times.

The success of the first Ne Zhafilm in 2019, which became the highest-grossing animated film in China at the time, provided a solid foundation for the sequel. 

Promotional material for Ne Zha 2Photo: Courtesy of Douban

Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, noted that the established popularity of Ne Zha, alongside strong IP recognition, played a critical role in attracting large audiences to theaters for the sequel. 

"The fans of the original film, who had long been anticipating the continuation of the story, were more than eager to return to the cinema," Sun said.

The success of Ne Zha 2goes beyond just its box office numbers - it has sparked widespread emotional connections with viewers. The movie's portrayal of complex relationships, especially familial bonds and friendships, resonates with audiences, particularly during the Spring Festival, a time when family reunions are a central theme. For many, the film's themes of self-identity, overcoming obstacles, and finding one's purpose mirrored the personal challenges they face in their own lives.

For example, the character of Shen Gongbao, the movie's antagonist, also contributed significantly to the film's emotional impact. Many viewers expressed their emotional reactions on social media, with Shen becoming a trending topic on Sina Weibo.

These delicate emotional portrayals easily resonate with the audience, Shi said, making it a family-friendly entertainment during the Spring Festival holiday.

Chen Jin, a data analyst from film data platform Beacon, told the Global Times that the ratio of group viewings for Ne Zha 2exceeds 30 percent, significantly higher than other films. "A large number of parents are bringing their children to watch it, making it suitable for all ages." 

Diverse offerings 

This year's booming Spring Festival box office has been fueled by a diverse range of film genres, which include comedy, animation, and action, offering audiences a broad selection of choices for different ages.

"Blockbusters are back in China, in a bigger way than even the most optimistic among us could've imagined," said Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax.

In terms of storylines and themes, Ne Zha 2and Detective Chinatown 1900 are filled with comedic elements; Creation of the Gods II: Demon Forceshowcases the protection of one's homeland; Operation Hadalconveys patriotic sentiment; and Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallantsbrings to life the world of wuxia (martial arts and chivalry). 

These themes align with the shared warmth, good wishes, and sense of family that the Spring Festival embodies, drawing audiences into theaters to experience the festive atmosphere of reunion.

One of the notable characteristics of the major releases this Spring Festival season is the sequels or recreation of iconic IPs. In addition to Ne Zha 2, several other films in this year's Spring Festival lineup were part of ongoing series. 

For example, Creation of the Gods II: Demon Forceis sequel to the Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms. Likewise, Detective Chinatown 1900is the fourth installment in the highly popular Detective Chinatownseries, and Boonie Bears: Future Rebornis the 11th installment of the Boonie Bearsseries. 

Shi noted that for sequels or films based on well-known IPs, audiences naturally have "higher expectations." From the box office trend, the quality of the film remains the key to attracting viewers.

Looking at the box office performance in this period over the years, those who earn positive word-of-mouth through high-quality creations are more likely to achieve strong box office results, Shi noted.