Top 10 Chinese films in 2025

1. 'Ne Zha 2'

A still from "Ne Zha 2." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

"Ne Zha 2" was not just a film but a global cultural phenomenon. The juggernaut earned nearly $2.2 billion worldwide, including a staggering 15.4 billion yuan domestically.

It is now the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, the highest-earning non-English language release in cinema history, and the fifth highest-grossing film ever, behind only "Avatar," "Avengers: Endgame," "Avatar: The Way of Water," and "Titanic."

The story follows the mythological figures Ne Zha and Ao Bing, who are reborn and must team up to face vengeful dragon kings and a scheming god. The film blends visually spectacular animation with folklore, action, humor and traditional culture.

Developed over five years by a 4,000-strong team, the film drew on the combined efforts of 138 Chinese animation and VFX companies, featuring 1,900 special effects shots and a climactic battle involving 200 million characters.

Where the original focused on battling personal prejudice, the sequel expanded its scope to explore systemic injustice, making timeless heroes relevant for a new generation.