A24 and CMC Pictures are joining forces to bring an English-language version of Ne Zha 2, the runaway animated box office sensation from China, to theaters across North America this summer.
The English version will feature Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh in a lead voice role. The film will open in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Aug. 22, screening in Imax, 3D, and other premium large formats.
Ne Zha 2 became the world’s top-grossing animated film of all time following its release earlier this year during China’s Lunar New Year holiday. It has earned a massive $2.2 billion, surpassing Pixar’s Inside Out 2 ($1.7 billion) at the global office. It is also the fifth highest-grossing film worldwide overall, with nearly all of its revenue coming from the Chinese mainland.
Directed by Yang Yu (aka Jiaozi), the film is the long-awaited sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha, a modern reimagining of the mythological Chinese folk hero that became a cultural phenomenon and a milestone for Chinese animation. Ne Zha 2 builds on that legacy with a continuation of the saga, blending high-concept storytelling with even more impressive visual spectacle.
“I’m honored 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.”
The franchise’s story follows the rebellious young demigod Ne Zha — born to mortal parents and feared by the heavens — as he wrestles with immense powers and a destiny to face an ancient force bent on humanity’s destruction.
Already a global fan favorite in its original Chinese-language release, Ne Zha 2 ranks as the highest-rated animated film of the year on Rotten Tomatoes and one of 2025’s top-rated titles on Letterboxd.
The A24-CMC partnership will pose a litmus test of the U.S. market’s appetite for Chinese storytelling, as well as the strategic potential of crossover animation when backed by a potent mix of talent and scale.
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