Chinese record-breaking 'insane' animation Ne Zha 2 dazzles London

Chinese animated epic Ne Zha 2 has finally landed in the UK, with a special preview screening at London's famous British Film Institute. 

The movie broke box office records upon its release to mark Chinese New Year, amassing over $2 billion globally and surpassing Pixar's Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated feature of all time.

Directed by Yang Yu – also known as Jiaozi, which means 'Dumplings' – Ne Zha 2 is the result of a monumental five-year effort involving 138 animation companies, more than 4,000 crew members, and an $80 million budget. 

Rooted in Chinese mythology, the story follows a mischievous demon child raised by humans who forms an alliance with dragon prince Ao Bing to battle and protect their clans.

The London preview comes ahead of the official UK and Ireland release on March 21 and the enthusiasm surrounding this screening highlights its growing international appeal.

Fans who attended were eager to share their thoughts, with one saying: "I really enjoyed the movie. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time. It looks great on the big screen. It sounded fantastic."

Cinematic milestone

Movie critic Ben King also praised the film, saying "I was locked into my seat. It's just visually stunning. The choreography insane, the fight scenes insane, the character animation absolutely insane."

Already ranked as the fifth highest-grossing film of all time, Ne Zha 2 is set to open in more than 35 European territories. 

This marks another milestone for Chinese cinema, demonstrating that homegrown stories can resonate across cultures and borders as audiences increasingly embrace non-Western narratives.

The film's record-breaking success highlights the growing global influence of Chinese animation. 

With Western audiences becoming more receptive to diverse storytelling traditions, Ne Zha 2 represents a significant step forward in the international recognition of China's animation industry.

As the movie continues its worldwide expansion, it is expected to further solidify its position as a landmark achievement in global cinema.