Animated films often struggle to compete with live-action movies at the box office. However, sometimes animated films manage to become major blockbusters. A prime example of this is the success of Inside Out 2 last year, which grossed $1.7 billion at the box office. The film is now considered the highest-grossing animated movie in history. However, it already has a strong competitor.
Box office performance of Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King
In early February, the animated project Nezha: Mo tong nao hai (Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King) was released in local theaters in China. In just 11 days, the film grossed $1.37 billion. It has already become the first non-Hollywood animated film to surpass the $1 billion mark. The project has outperformed Super Mario Bros. Movie in terms of box office earnings. As of February 12, the film was released globally and is now rapidly closing in on Inside Out 2's earnings, potentially surpassing them.
Plot of Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King
The film is an adaptation of a popular story from Chinese mythology and serves as a sequel to the 2019 animated film Ne Zha. The story follows a mischievous boy who falls victim to an ancient curse, which grants him supernatural powers and gives him the chance to change his fate. In the sequel, the protagonist must face off against the Dragon King, who harms people by causing storms and floods.
Foreign film critics, who have already seen the movie, have praised the film's epic battles and stunning visuals. Other highlights include the intriguing fairy tale setup and the opportunity to explore Asian mythology.
