In a significant achievement for China's burgeoning animation industry, "Ne Zha 2" has set a new benchmark by becoming the top-grossing animated film worldwide, amassing over 13 billion yuan ($1.79 billion) in ticket sales. Released in late January during the Spring Festival holiday, "Ne Zha 2" captured half of the box office for that period, marking a milestone in Chinese animated cinema. This success is not just a one-off event but part of a larger, strategic vision driven by the Chinese government to transform China into a major cinematic force by 2035.
The past decade has seen Chinese animated films steadily climb the ranks of global cinema. This growth is fueled by a national plan that aims to produce 50 domestic films annually, each grossing at least 100 million yuan. The plan underscores an ambitious objective: domestic films should account for at least 55% of the country's yearly box office sales. As part of this push, nearly 140 businesses contributed to the production of "Ne Zha 2," showcasing the government's commitment to supporting homegrown talent through subsidies and collaborative efforts.
"You don't have to worry about whether your story, or your characters, or your attitudes will play in other countries." – Jonathan Clements
The remarkable success of "Ne Zha 2" can be attributed to its broad appeal across age groups and its ability to transcend the traditional perception of animation as purely children's entertainment. This shift is evident as Chinese animation expands beyond cinema into merchandise and gaming, gradually shedding its "childish" image. The industry's evolution has been marked by landmark films like "Big Fish and Begonia," hailed by Variety as a distinctive and bold entry in China's animation history.
"In the history of Chinese animation, there has never been a film like 'Big Fish and Begonia.'… as far as the Chinese industry goes, this bold and breathtaking fantasy adventure stands alone," – Variety
Light Chaser Animation, the creative force behind notable projects such as "Chang An," operates from a humble white building on the outskirts of Beijing. As the studio gears up for future ventures, it plans to relocate to a new office later this year and expand its workforce by at least 100 employees to meet its ambitious goal of releasing two movies annually starting from 2026.
"This place is no longer big enough." – Yu Zhou
The success story of "Ne Zha 2" and other recent films highlights a changing landscape for Chinese animation. Works like "Curious Tales of a Temple," which reimagines Chinese ghost stories, and "Green Snake," noted for its innovative blend of legend and futuristic elements, have resonated with audiences both domestically and internationally. The latter's performance on Netflix further underscores the global potential of Chinese animated content.
"Curious Tales of a Temple," re-tells "Chinese ghost stories," – Yu Zhou
"Green Snake" — which is a rendition of a Chinese legend sets it partially in a futuristic city — did well on Netflix after its 2021 launch, remaining in the top 10 non-English content for three weeks. – Yu Zhou
The future looks promising as the Chinese animation industry continues to grow and diversify. Upcoming releases such as "Master Zhong," expected later this year, signify a sustained momentum in domestic productions, aligning with the government's cinematic ambitions.
"Master Zhong" that's expected to be released in China this year. – Ya Ning
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