It’s rare that a film can completely reinvent itself mid-runtime, but Ne Zha 2 pulls off this transformation with breathtaking audacity. Already cementing its place as 2025’s highest-grossing film and the biggest non-English speaking movie of all time, this Chinese animated epic proves that patience pays off in spectacular fashion.
A Tale of Two Halves
Make no mistake: Ne Zha 2’s opening hour is a genuine test of endurance. Director Jiaozi leans heavily into juvenile comedy, serving up an endless parade of bodily function gags and toilet humor that feels more suited to toddlers than the epic mythology it’s supposedly adapting. The vibrant 3D animation, while technically impressive, initially serves only to amplify these crude jokes rather than showcase the rich Chinese folklore at the story’s heart.
Our protagonist, the fiery deity Ne Zha reimagined as a mischievous imp with an unsettling grin, shares his temporary body with rival-turned-friend Ao Bing after their previous sacrifice. What follows is a confusing rush through Chinese mythological concepts explained at breakneck speed, leaving non-Chinese audiences scrambling to keep up with references to magical lotuses and Taoist deities.
The Miraculous Transformation
Then something magical happens. As if a switch is flipped, Ne Zha 2 abandons its scatological obsessions and emerges as something genuinely extraordinary. The second act transforms this seeming children’s film into an emotionally complex revenge saga that tackles themes of injustice, rebellion, and coming-of-age with surprising sophistication.
The action sequences become nothing short of revolutionary. Blending 70s wuxia aesthetics with supernatural spell-casting, the film delivers visual spectacle on a scale that rivals—and often surpasses—anything seen in Western animation. Thousands of warriors battle across psychedelic landscapes while characters sprout additional limbs to fire magical arrows from glowing bows. It’s Dragon Ball Z meets Journey to the West, completing a fascinating cultural ouroboros.
Visual Poetry in Motion
Not since The Lord of the Rings has a film captured the truly religious scope of epic fantasy with such grandeur. The climactic battles stretch credulity even within animation’s limitless possibilities, creating jaw-dropping vistas that justify the film’s record-breaking $2.2 billion box office performance.
What’s most impressive is how these escalations reframe even the earlier comedy, grounding previously crass gags in character development and genuine emotion. Crystal Lee’s English dub performance particularly shines during pivotal moments, especially her rousing delivery of “If I can’t be who I am, I’ll just have to change the world!”—a line that encapsulates the film’s rebellious spirit.
The Verdict
Ne Zha 2 is pure, unfiltered spectacle that demands to be experienced on the biggest screen possible. Yes, you’ll have to endure an hour of juvenile humor, but what follows is a visual and emotional feast unlike anything contemporary cinema has offered. It’s a reminder that animation knows no boundaries when imagination takes the reins.
For American audiences encountering this phenomenon for the first time, Ne Zha 2 offers a glimpse into why it’s already conquered global box offices. This is mythological storytelling on an unprecedented scale—chaotic, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.
