'Ne Zha 2' is one of the biggest movies of all time. Here's what you need to know.
Michelle Yeoh is ready to change that. The Hollywood icon, who won the best actress Oscar for 2022's "Everything Everywhere All at Once," has lent her voice to an English-language dub of the Chinese animated phenomenon. Based on a centuries-old Chinese legend, the movie is a follow-up to 2019's "Ne Zha," which made more than $700 million worldwide.
The sequel similarly follows a rebellious boy named Ne Zha who is born with demonic powers and feared by the gods. But when an ancient force threatens to destroy humanity, he must choose to use his abilities for good or evil.
Yeoh, 63, was first introduced to the story when she was 6 or 7 growing up in Malaysia. "I used to love mythology and Ne Zha was very popular," she recalls. "For me, it was exciting, because he was a demigod who could just zip across the skies with his fiery wheels. And he was sassy. All the kids were like, 'Yeah, I can be tough and strong, too! I won't let anybody bully me!' "
Here's what you need to know about the movie that's taking the world by storm:
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Where can I watch 'Ne Zha 2?'
The movie will be released in U.S. theaters nationwide on Aug. 22, 2025.
Is 'Ne Zha 2' in English?
Although the original 'Ne Zha II' was in Mandarin, the version that is being released in America will be in English. Yeoh ('Crazy Rich Asians') leads the English-language cast as Ne Zha's fiercely loving mother, Lady Yin, while Vincent Rodriguez III ('Crazy Ex-Girlfriend') plays his dad, Li Jing. Meanwhile, Crystal Lee ('Marvel Rivals') voices the role of the unstoppable Ne Zha.
How much has 'Ne Zha 2' made at the box office?
According to the film's U.S. distributor A24, 'Ne Zha II' has so far netted $2.2 billion globally. That makes it the most successful animated movie and the highest-grossing non-English language film of all time, as well as the fifth highest-grossing movie in history worldwide.
'The international success truly underscores how global the industry has become,' says Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory. 'The growing appeal of films like 'Ne Zha II' made outside Hollywood shows the potential for (international) movies, which previously performed mostly within the confines of local markets.'
Adds Yeoh: "This is an important movie because it is creating that global cultural bridge. We need more stories from different parts of the world. It's a fact that in America, they love K-dramas, K-pop (and) Japanese groups." She hopes U.S. audiences will embrace "Ne Zha II," because it's "telling the story of a culture you don't know, but in such a contemporary way."
How long is 'Ne Zha 2?'
The movie is 2 hours and 23 minutes.
What is 'Ne Zha 2' rated?
The film is not rated. Aside from some crude humor, as well as one scene of a family in emotional distress, the action-packed adventure is suitable for most kids, who will love the spunky young hero and eye-popping visuals.
Will there be a 'Ne Zha 3?'
According to the newspaper China Daily, Chinese studio Beijing Enlight Pictures is moving forward with 'Ne Zha III.' The company's chairman, Wang Changtian, says that writer and director Jiao Zi is in deep development on the ambitious follow-up film, which could take up to five years to complete.
Why is 'Ne Zha' so popular?
In addition to its hefty box-office tally, "Ne Zha II" is also a critical hit with 97% positive reviews on aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. Yeoh believes that the film has exploded in part because of its "spectacular" animation, which "literally just takes your breath away," she says. But even more so, it brings together different generations of moviegoers by telling "a very old tale with the heart and humor of today."
"The younger generation sometimes feels like they're misunderstood; there's that rage inside them," Yeoh says. To see a character like Ne Zha defy fate, and declare that he has the right to live and choose for himself, "I think that resonates with a lot of us. It's so inspiring to see."
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