Ne Zha 2 breaks the 2 billion dollar mark!
In addition, "Ne Zha 2" is the most successful animated film of all time
Now it's official: according to The Numbers, the Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" has broken the 2 billion dollar mark at the box office!
This makes "Ne Zha 2" not only the most successful animated film of all time, but also the highest-grossing film of the year worldwide. So far, the 2 billion dollar mark has only been achieved by cinema greats such as James Cameron's "Avatar", "Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens" or Marvel's "Avengers: Endgame". Particularly impressive: a large part of the revenue comes from international markets, primarily China itself. Around 1.97 billion dollars were generated there, while only 23.2 million dollars came from the North American box office.
So far this year, only one US film has managed to break the billion-dollar mark: Disney's live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch". The family film grossed just over 1 billion dollars, putting it well behind the Chinese record hit. It was followed by "A Minecraft Movie" with 954 million dollars. No other film has broken the 900 million dollar barrier so far this year.
However, the next potential mega-success is already waiting in the wings at the end of the year with "Avatar: Fire and Ash". It remains to be seen whether James Cameron will once again cement his reputation as the king of the box office and knock "Ne Zha 2" off its throne.
The 10 most successful films of all time
Cinema has always been a place of magic, and only a few films manage to inspire an audience of billions worldwide. While revenues of one billion dollars used to be a sensation, today they are almost taken for granted for blockbusters. However, the top 10 highest-grossing films remains an exclusive circle, characterized above all by spectacular productions and cultural milestones. Particularly exciting: "Ne Zha 2" is the first Chinese animated film to make it into this league.
1. "Avatar" (2009): approx. 2.92 billion
James Cameron's sci-fi masterpiece took audiences to the world of Pandora – with photorealistic CGI, revolutionary 3D and a story that combined ecological themes with epic adventure. Avatar was more than a movie; it was a cinematic event that redefined blockbuster cinema. Even more than a decade later, its success remains unchallenged, thanks in part to re-releases in IMAX and 4K.
2. "Avengers: Endgame" (2019): approx. 2.80 billion
The conclusion of the Marvel "Infinity Saga" brought together all the major superheroes of the MCU and thrilled fans worldwide. With iconic scenes such as the final battle against Thanos, "Endgame" became the emotional climax of a film series that has been running for over ten years. It was a tribute to the fans who had accompanied Marvel for over a decade – and a box office success that even knocked Avatar off the number 1 spot for a while.
3. "Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022): approx. 2.32 billion
Cameron's sequel took viewers back to Pandora – this time with a focus on the underwater worlds. The film was celebrated for its technical perfection, breathtaking depictions of nature and emotional depth. The fact that a sequel can be so successful more than a decade after the original proves Cameron's flair for global cinema hits.
4. "Titanic" (1997): approx. 2.26 billion
With "Titanic", Cameron created one of the greatest love stories in film history. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet became global stars and the film won eleven Oscars. The mixture of romance, history and spectacle made it a worldwide phenomenon that still holds records today and is regularly shown again in cinemas.
5. "Star Wars: Episode 7: The Force Awakens" (2015): approx. 2.07 billion
After a break of over ten years, Star Wars made a triumphant return. J.J. Abrams' mixture of nostalgic moments, new heroes and modern action thrilled fans of old and new generations. With revenues of over two billion dollars, the film is a prime example of the power of established brands and good storytelling.
6. "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018): approx. 2.05 billion
As the predecessor to "Endgame", "Infinity War" set the stage for the MCU finale. The film ended with one of the boldest cliffhangers in blockbuster history and proved Marvel's ability to combine suspense and emotion in an ensemble film with over 20 main characters.
7. "Ne Zha 2" (2025): over 2.2 billion.
The biggest surprise on this list is undoubtedly "Ne Zha 2". With a budget of just 80 million US dollars, the Chinese animated film grossed more than 2.2 billion dollars worldwide. The film built on the success of "Ne Zha" (2019) and continued the legend of the rebellious child from Chinese mythology.
8. "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021): approx. 1.92 billion.
This Marvel hit brought three "Spider-Man" generations to the big screen and triggered a wave of nostalgia. Despite the pandemic, the film broke records and became one of the most successful superhero films of all time. It was particularly remarkable that it achieved these figures even without the Chinese market.
9. Inside Out 2 (2024): approx. 1.70 billion
Pixar's sequel to the audience favorite "Inside Out 2" took emotions to a new phase of life: puberty. With humor, empathy and visual brilliance, the film appealed to all age groups worldwide. The sequel is the second most successful animated film after "Ne Zha 2" and proves that Pixar can still create cinema magic despite the streaming boom.
10. "Jurassic World" (2015): approx. 1.67 billion.
The reboot of the dinosaur saga struck a chord with a generation that had grown up with "Jurassic Park". With state-of-the-art CGI technology and new characters, the film brought the fascination of dinosaurs back to the big screen. Jurassic World was a huge global hit in 2015 and revitalized the franchise.
Conclusion: Blockbuster cinema in transition
These top 10 show: Hollywood continues to dominate, but productions such as "Ne Zha 2" prove that cinema is becoming more global and diverse. James Cameron remains a legend with three films, while franchises such as Marvel, "Star Wars" and "Jurassic World" are securing their long-term popularity. Animated films are playing an increasingly important role – both from Western studios such as Pixar and foreign productions.
