STORY: China's animated sequel "Ne Zha 2" smashes box office records in stunning success
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 12, 2025
LENGTH: 00:00:53
LOCATION: CHENGDU, China/LOS ANGELS, U.S./SYDNEY, Australia
CATEGORY: CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of moviegoers in Chinese theaters 
2. various of "Ne Zha 2" premieres in Sydney and Los Angeles
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WARREN, Moviegoer in Sydney
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KAI JOHNSON, Moviegoer in Los Angeles

STORYLINE:

Released on Jan. 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year, Chinese animated feature "Ne Zha 2" has broken multiple box office records.

As of Wednesday noon, its ongoing blockbuster run has already amassed over 9.2 billion yuan (about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars) and attracted over 187 million viewers -- numbers that have not only outpaced those of all other movies screened in China, but also rivaled the success of some of Hollywood's biggest hits.

The sequel to 2019 blockbuster "Ne Zha" is the first film to cross the 1-billion-U.S.-dollar line in a single market, testifying to the capabilities of the Chinese film industry.

Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan has gone so far as to forecast that "Ne Zha 2" will become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Based on ancient Chinese mythology, "Ne Zha 2" has captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals, rich storytelling, and deep cultural expression.

Beyond its domestic success, "Ne Zha 2" is poised to make waves internationally, acting as a cultural bridge that offers global audiences a glimpse into China's rich mythology and traditions.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WARREN, Moviegoer in Sydney
"I thought it was amazing. The quality of the animation was just top-notch. I love the story and the vibe of the entire film. And it was just amazing. I will definitely watch it again at home. Definitely, I give it like a ten out of ten. I honestly thought it was an amazing film and definitely worth watching."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KAI JOHNSON, Moviegoer in Los Angeles
"I think it's a great animation film. I honestly love animation, so this was a really big thing I love to watch. So I think it's really fun and exciting."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chengdu, China/Los Angeles, U.S./Sydney, Australia.
(XHTV)