With Ne Zha 2 continuing its theatrical run, its box office performance has become a focal point in industry discussions. The animated sequel recently surpassed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, securing a spot among the top five highest-grossing films of all time. As it approaches the final stretch of its domestic run and expands internationally, its potential to climb higher on the global chart remains a key question.
China’s Ne Zha 2 beats Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but will it beat Titanic?
Ne Zha 2 has surpassed Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide. According to Maoyan, the film has earned over RMB 14.86 billion ($2.054 billion) in China alone (via Deadline). Adding more than $31 million from international markets, the global total stands at $2.085 billion. This exceeds The Force Awakens, which grossed $2.071 billion globally.
The animated sequel is projected to reach RMB 15.2 billion ($2.1 billion) in China by the end of its theatrical run. The film is still awaiting release in Indonesia on March 21, with further openings in Europe and Japan. Ne Zha 2 has also performed strongly in IMAX, earning $155 million globally, including $151.6 million from China.
Ne Zha 2 is now positioned behind Titanic, which has a lifetime gross of $2.264 billion. The top four highest-grossing films worldwide are Avatar ($2.92 billion), Avengers: Endgame ($2.79 billion), Avatar: The Way of Water ($2.32 billion), and Titanic. Analysts indicate that the film may surpass Titanic, but its chances of surpassing Avatar or Avengers: Endgame remain uncertain (via ComicBookMovie.com).
Ne Zha 2 has set a record as the highest-grossing animated film in history with $2.06 billion earned in China. Previously, The Force Awakens held this record with $936.6 million in North America. Ne Zha 2 has also surpassed Inside Out 2 ($1.69 billion) to become the highest-grossing animated film ever (via The Hollywood Reporter). It is the seventh movie in history to gross at least $2 billion worldwide.
The success of Ne Zha 2 reflects China’s growing dominance in the global box office. The movie continues its international rollout, with upcoming releases expected to contribute further to its total earnings.
