It came as quite a shock in February when Ne Zha 2 became the highest grossing animated film of all-time. The first Ne Zha film had not broken through to Western audiences, grossing less than $39 million outside of China during its theatrical run in 2019, so the success of its sequel (a worldwide gross of $2.2 billion at the time of writing) was a rather unexpected phenomenon. But after viewing A24’s new English dub of the film, it’s easy to understand Ne Zha 2’s meteoric rise.
The film is excellent, blending incredibly animated action with incredibly moving drama to create a film that is sure to be a classic for generations to come. Written and directed by Jiaozi and based upon the acclaimed Chinese fantasy novel Investiture of the Gods, the film follows the titular Ne Zha as he attempts to ascend to immortality in order to recreate the body of his disembodied friend Ao Bing and save his life, a task which will result in the destruction of his home by Ao Bing’s tyrannical father should he fail.
The vocal performances of the cast of the English dub are excellent, especially Crystal Lee’s portrayal of Ne Zha, which is equal parts hilarious and deeply emotional. Lee brings incredible nuance to the character, ensuring that he will be a part of numerous childhoods. Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Ne Zha’s mother Lady Yin is also fantastic, with the actress providing the film’s emotional basis in a performance.
At its core, Ne Zha 2 is a story about the relationship between a mother and her child, and Lee and Yeoh deliver on this dynamic personally. The interactions between Ne Zha and Yin are incredibly emotional, and will no doubt be profoundly moving for mothers and children in the audience. The film’s animation is fantastic, easily clearing Disney and Pixar’s latest offerings to create a world that feels distinct and tangible, helped along by some of the most inspired cinematography I’ve seen in an animated film since 2023’s Across the Spider-Verse. Both Jiaozi’s direction and screenplay are also incredible, crafting an incredibly nuanced film that is sure to become the gold standard for animated cinema globally.
Overall, Ne Zha 2 is sure to be a riot for families and individuals alike, and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest animated movies of all time.
Watch Trailer Here: