The animated hit Ne Zha 2 is getting an English-language release — and it’s heading to U.S cinemas on August 22 and Australian cinemas on August 28.
Distributed by A24 and CMC Pictures, the new version of the critically acclaimed Chinese fantasy will screen in IMAX, 3D, and other premium formats across Australia, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh is leading the English-language voice cast.
Michelle Yeoh Joins One of the Biggest Animated Films Ever
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“I’m honoured to be part of Ne Zha 2, a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be,” Yeoh said in a statement. “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.”
Written and directed by Yang Yu, Ne Zha 2 has made box office history since its original release in January. It currently ranks as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, the highest-grossing non-English language film ever, and the eighth highest-grossing film overall globally — just behind Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: No Way Home, and above Pixar’s Inside Out 2, as per Box Office Mojo.
A Mythological Epic with Massive Global Appeal
The film follows Ne Zha, a rebellious boy born with wild powers and feared by the gods, who must grow into a hero when a dark force threatens humanity. Drawing on ancient Taoist mythology and told with sweeping, visually rich animation, the film builds on the legacy of the 2019 hit Ne Zha — which was also a major success in China and abroad.
Production on Ne Zha 2 spanned five years, with over 4,000 crew members across 138 Chinese animation studios contributing to the epic. The end result has been praised for its emotional storytelling and stunning visuals, landing the highest animated film rating of the year on Rotten Tomatoes and becoming one of 2025’s most praised titles on Letterboxd.
A Landmark Release for Chinese Animation
The English-language version marks a significant expansion for the film’s global reach. With CMC Pictures boasting a distribution network spanning more than 100 countries and 500 cities, Ne Zha 2 is set to continue its box office momentum as it reaches wider audiences.
It’s another milestone for Chinese animation — and with Michelle Yeoh lending her voice to the mythic story, this new version offers an opportunity for even more viewers to experience one of the year’s most talked-about films.
