All About China'sNe Zha 2That BeatInside Out 2to Become the Highest-Grossing Animated Movie Ever

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:CMC Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

CMC Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The 2025 animated fantasy movie is a global box office hit, surpassingInside Out 2to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, according toReutersand other outlets. The film is a direct sequel to writer-director Yu Yang’sNe Zha, which also earned impressive box office figures upon its release in 2019.

The films draw heavily from characters and storylines inThe Investiture of the Gods, a 16th-century Chinese novel that compiles a series of folklore, myths, and legends.

From who voices characters in the sequel to when it will be released in U.S. theaters, here’s everything to know aboutNe Zha 2.

What isNe Zha 2about?

Who is in the cast ofNe Zha 2?

Joseph Cao Yalong.Chengdu Economic Daily/VCG via Getty

Chengdu Economic Daily/VCG via Getty

Ne Zha 2’s voice cast features several Chinese actors, with Joseph Cao and Mo Han leading the cast as the voices of Ne Zha and Ao Bing.Cao has lent his voice to other Chinese films, including 2022’sRun, Tiger Run!and 2024’sThe Storm. As for Han, theNe Zhaseries marks his first feature film role.Yu Chen voices Ao Guang in his human form, while Li Nan is the voice of Ao Guang’s Dragon King form. Lü Qi is the voice for Lady Yin, Ne Zha’s mother, who is also a chieftess who governs Chentang Pass with her husband Lord Li Jing.

Zhang Jiaming lends his voice to Master Taiyi Zhenren.

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Who is directingNe Zha 2?

Director Yang Yu.Visual China Group via Getty

Visual China Group via Getty

Writer-director Yu Yang returns to directNe Zha 2, picking up almost exactly where he left off with the 2019 film.Ne Zhawas the Chinese director’s first animated feature film and earned $726 million at the global box office, and at the time, becoming the highest-grossing film in China in 2019 and fifth highest-grossing film for China.

Where will I be able to watchNe Zha 2?

Ne Zha 2arrived in U.S. theaters on Feb. 14. It was released in China on Jan. 29, coinciding with the first day of Chinese New Year.

source: people.com