'Ne Zha 2' wins global box-office victory and ignites Oscar buzz ...

Photo: Xinhua

After watching the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 in Los Angeles, the US, two members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences called on the film's director Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, to compete for the awards.

The Chinese box-office hit was screened on Friday in a limited theatrical release in North America. The film's pre-sale box office and screenings have set a new record for ­Chinese-language films in North America over the past 20 years, with some theaters even adding midnight showings to meet audience's demand.

Comparing to its predecessor, "This [movie] grows even higher in terms of production design, sound design and music," said Sheila Sofian, a professor of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California and member of the Academy, during an interview with CCTV after watching the movie. 

Sofian extended her congratulations to Yang, "I am so impressed at the level of expertise that you have achieved with this. I'm really eager to see what you do next."

Another academy member, Ellen Eliasoph, told CCTV, "I think that everyone in China, particularly in the Chinese film industry, should be proud of this."

While Eliasoph spoke highly of the film and expressed anticipation for a sequel, Sofian added, "This is much more than competitive in the Oscar categories. I'm looking forward to seeing this film compete at next year's Oscars, and I hope to see it there, so I have an opportunity to vote for it as well." 

The film has become a global sensation, captivating audiences beyond its homeland. Despite the film's commercial success, it has also garnered high praise, particularly in its depiction of Chinese cultural elements and its global appeal. 

Sofian acknowledged that she was sure that there were aspects of the film that she didn't understand, "but it didn't bother me at all, because for me, the themes were universal, and we could all connect with them."  

A report published by CNN on Friday pointed out, "Animation rooted in traditional Chinese folklore, enhanced with state-of-the-art special effects, has proven to be a winning formula." 

"For a new generation of Chinese filmmakers and audiences, the reasoning is clear: If China's own talent can deliver high-quality adaptions of the legends they grew up with, why rely on Western studios to tell Chinese stories?" the report wrote. 

Ne Zha 2 is an epitome of the Chinese animated film industry. While keeping their traditional roots, China's animated films and other cultural products are evolving in a contemporary context, and stepping onto the global stage, Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

People take photos before a mural of characters from the movie Ne Zha 2 in Changzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, on February 16, 2025. Several "Ne Zha graffiti walls" have become popular attractions. Photo: VCG

Beyond its rich cultural depth and engaging narrative, Ne Zha 2 has impressed audiences with its cutting-edge visuals, an area traditionally led by Hollywood. By harnessing advanced technologies like GPU rendering and artificial intelligence, the film delivers a level of visual excellence that stands on par with Hollywood's best.

"By telling Chinese stories through the lens of modern times and a universal cinematic language, mythology is no longer a distant legend but a ­living cultural gene," commented Sun.

According to CCTV, Ne Zha 2 has been released simultaneously in 770 theaters across more than 400 cities in 48 states in the US, as well as in 42 cities across 10 provinces in Canada.  

In Oceania, the film officially premiered on Thursday, with 124 theaters screening the film, setting a new record for Chinese-language films in the region over the past 20 years in terms of screenings. 

Most mainstream Australian cinemas have significantly increased their screening schedules of Ne Zha 2 in the week due to the strong demand from local audience.

Cinemas in major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all saw the Chinese film's screening become a mainstay of their schedule until Wednesday in most regions, with a cinema in Western Australia's Perth having 13 screenings on Saturday alone, most of which saw few empty seats.