‘Ne Zha 2’ Nears $2 Billion
China’s box office continued to be dominated by “Ne Zha 2,” which grossed RMB471.9 million ($65.5 million) over the Feb. 28–March 2 weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $1.98 billion, according to Artisan Gateway. The Cococartoon release is closing in on the $2 billion milestone with sustained audience interest.
“Ne Zha 2” also continued to set new benchmarks in Imax. The animated phenomenon added $7.6 million in Imax earnings over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total in the format to $144 million. The film has now surpassed 15 million Imax admissions in China alone, making it one of the top four most attended Imax movies of all time globally. Since the start of the Lunar New Year period, Imax titles have collectively reached a cumulative total of $160 million, with “Ne Zha 2” accounting for the lion’s share of that figure.
In second place, As One Production’s “Detective Chinatown 1900” added $6.9 million to its total, bringing its cumulative gross to $476.4 million. The mystery-comedy franchise continues to draw audiences despite the overshadowing performance of “Ne Zha 2.”
Fantawild Animation’s “Boonie Bears: Future Reborn” secured third place with $1.9 million, reaching a new cumulative total of $108.5 million. The latest installment in the family-friendly franchise remains a steady performer.
Beijing Culture’s “Creation of the Gods 2” came in fourth, earning $1.5 million over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $168.2 million.
Debuting in fifth place, “Dead Talents Society,” distributed by Activator Co., Ltd (TW), earned $1.4 millin in its opening weekend. Directed by John Hsu, the Taiwanese horror-comedy stars Chen Bolin as Makoto, a former pop idol turned underworld haunting agent, and Gingle Wang as a rookie ghost navigating the afterlife.
The weekend’s total box office reached $83 million, bringing China’s 2025 cumulative total to $3.19 billion, a 65.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.