The trailer has arrived for the English-language release of Ne Zha 2 – the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Watch the trailer above and read on for the details.
The numbers don’t lie
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It’s already the highest-earning animated film ever. As of now, Ne Zha 2 has raked in a jaw-dropping USD$1.89 billion globally — putting it just behind Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: No Way Home, and ahead of the likes of Inside Out 2. For context, this Chinese fantasy sequel is currently the eighth biggest film ever released. Not animated — feature film, full stop.
Enter the English dub, with Michelle Yeoh leading the charge
Now, with distribution from A24 and CMC Pictures, Ne Zha 2 is coming to English-speaking territories — landing in U.S. cinemas on August 22 and Australian cinemas on August 28. This new version will screen in IMAX, 3D, and other premium formats, with a fresh voice cast led by Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh. Also on board: Vincent Rodriguez III, Aleks Le, Damien Haas, and Crystal Lee.
“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 when the English release was announced. “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.”
Mythology, magic, and major scale
Written and directed by Yang Yu, the film continues the story of Ne Zha — a powerful child feared by gods — as he confronts new threats and grapples with his destiny. Think ancient Taoist mythology meets large-scale fantasy action, all wrapped in gorgeously animated set-pieces. The film took five years to produce, involving over 4,000 artists across 138 studios.
And while the box office success is one thing, the critical and fan response is another. The film currently holds the highest-rated animated score of the year on Rotten Tomatoes (96% from critics and 99% from audiences) and is sitting near the top of Letterboxd’s most-praised titles of 2025.
Ne Zha 2 hits U.S. cinemas on August 22 and opens in Australia on August 28.
