One of the biggest movies of the century is finally hitting theaters here in America thanks to a joint collaboration between A24 and Chinese state-backed company, CMC Pictures. Released on January 29, 2025, during China's Lunar New Year holiday, the animated featureNe Zha 2 has since grossed more than $2 billion at the worldwide box office, and is now the highest-grossing animated film ever made after blowing past the record of $1.6 billionthat was set byInside Out 2 last year.
Holding a rating of 96% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes,Ne Zha 2's audience score sits even higher, as the film is Verified Hot with a 99%. Audiences immediately took to the long-awaited sequel, turning out in droves overseas to see it, as the majority of its box office take was from its native country of China. With the English-dubbed version set to release in North America next month, here's everything we know about the project so far.
Who Will Star in 'Ne Zha 2?'
PerThe Hollywood Reporter,MCU andStar Trek favoriteMichelle Yeoh has been tapped to lead the English-dubbed version ofNe Zha 2, which has already surpassedStar Wars: The Force Awakens to take the number five spot on the list of highest-grossing movies ever. It's poised to overtake the likes ofTitanic andAvatar: Way of Water should the dubbed version prove just as lucrative.
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Yeoh won an Academy Award for her performance in the A24 hitEverything Everywhere All at Once, and recently appeared inStar Trek: Section 31, where she reprised her role of Philippa Georgiou fromDiscovery. She also had a cameo as Aleta Ogord in theMCU hitGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and is set to lead the upcoming Prime Video series,Blade Runner 2099. "I'm honored to be part ofNe Zha 2, a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be," she said in a statement released earlier this week, adding:
"Sharing this with audiences in English is such a joy, and I can't wait for everyone to experience the wonder, heart, spectacular artistry, and magic of this film on the big screen."
Thus far, Yeoh remains the only voice actor that has been announced, so it remains to be seen what other big names A24 can attract to the project, if any. Giventhe studio's track record, however, we wouldn't be surprised if she's joined by some other previous Oscar-winners, or at the very least, some recognizable faces that will certainly help bolster the film's box office performance.
What Is 'Ne Zha 2' About?
Picking up from where the 2019 film left off,Ne Zha 2 blends Chinese mythology, martial arts, and stunning animation to tell the tale of what happens after Ne Zha and Ao Bing are struck by heavy lightning and disintegrated. Determined to save them, Master Taiyi Zhenren uses a Seven‑colored Sacred Lotus to construct new – but unstable – mortal bodies, facing several challenges along the way, not the least of which is an angry and distraught Ao Guang, the father of Ao Bing, who unleashes a whole heap of monsters to attack Chentang Pass.
We know it's a lot to take in, but amidst all the crazy plot points is a film that's as visually remarkable as anything ever made, and a movie that, at its core, is about familial bonds, loyalty, and sacrifice. Trust us, even if you're not a big fan of watching dubbed films, this is one you’re definitely going to want to see on the big screen.
When Will 'Ne Zha 2' Be Released?
Currently still playing in theaters overseas,Ne Zha 2 is not only the highest-grossing film of 2025, but the highest-grossing non-English film of all time. It has yet to make its way to any streaming platform in its original form, but thankfully, U.S. audiences don't have to wait too much longer to enjoy it.
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The English-dubbed version ofNe Zha 2 starring Michelle Yeoh is set to be released on August 22, 2025, in the United States and Canada. Its reach will stretch even further thanks to A24, who will also release it in Australia and New Zealand. The partnership with CMC is said to be a litmus test as to how well animated Chinese films will fare in the U.S. market, especially when they have recognizable talent attached to them. Should it prove successful, we could see an influxof English-dubbed animated movies in North America, which is great news for fans who would much prefer that strategy over an overall remake.
As we await the release ofNe Zha 2 next month, you can check out the 2019 original,Ne Zha, which is now streaming on Peacock, or for free on Tubi.
