Ne Zha 2 is a 2025 Chinese animated adventure film and the direct sequel to the 2019 hit Ne Zha. It continues the story of the mythological character Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing, focusing on themes of identity, destiny, and fighting against evil. The film was directed by Jiaozi and released in China on January 29, 2025, coinciding with Chinese New Year.
The movie has been critically acclaimed for its stunning animation, intricate action sequences, rich worldbuilding, emotional depth, and cultural storytelling. It achieved immense commercial success, grossing over $2.2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing animated film ever, the highest-grossing non-English language film, and the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time globally. It broke several box office records in China and internationally.
Ne Zha 2 was made with an $80 million budget, involved over 4,000 people from 138 animation studios, and features much more complex visuals and character development than its predecessor. It released internationally throughout early 2025, with an English-dubbed version scheduled in the United States for August 22, 2025, distributed by A24 with Michelle Yeoh starring as Lady Yin.
The film blends traditional Chinese mythology with modern themes and high-quality animation, praised as both a technical and narrative triumph adding new depth to the legendary Ne Zha story.
Runtime: 2h 23m
Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
Languages: Mandarin, English (dub), others
Director: Yu Yang / Jiaozi (same person)
Box Office: Over $2.2 billion globally.
Ne Zha 2 Imax Release
Ne Zha 2 was initially released in China on January 29, 2025, and was available in various formats including IMAX 2D. The English-dubbed version, distributed by A24, is scheduled for release in the United States on August 22, 2025, and will include IMAX screenings as well, likely in IMAX 3D format. The film had limited IMAX availability in the U.S. earlier in 2025 but is set to have a broader IMAX 3D release with the English version this August.
Additionally, the film was released in IMAX 3D in some other international markets, such as India, starting April 25, 2025.
So, if you want to watch Ne Zha 2 in IMAX in the U.S., the best opportunity is the official English-dubbed IMAX release on August 22, 2025.
Ne Zha 3
Ne Zha 3 is officially confirmed as in development by Chinese studio Enlight Pictures, with director Yang Yu (Jiaozi) returning after the massive success of Ne Zha 2. The project is described as even more ambitious than its predecessor and is expected to take up to five years to complete, which suggests a release likely around 2029 or later.
Key points about Ne Zha 3:
- The film is greenlit and currently deep in development as of early-mid 2025.
- The director is Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, who directed the first two Ne Zha films.
- Production is anticipated to be extensive, possibly taking five years, indicating a release not before the late 2020s.
- There is an official trailer or concept teaser circulating online with speculation about the 2026 or 2027 year tags, but these appear unofficial or fan-made, as the confirmed production timeline implies a longer schedule.
- The story direction for Ne Zha 3 has not been officially detailed yet, but discussions and fan theories suggest it may explore themes like identity, responsibility, redemption, and potentially further develop Ne Zha’s relationship with Ao Bing and other mythological elements.
In summary, Ne Zha 3 is confirmed but still in early stages of development with a realistic release expected around 2029 or later due to the ambitious scope and production time outlined by studio leadership.
No firm theatrical release date or detailed plot information is available at this time.
The tickets for this movie are available on BookmyShow and District.
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