A24 will give China’s record-breaking animated epic “Ne Zha 2” its first wide English-language outing on 22 August, teaming with CMC Pictures to launch the dub in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with screenings in IMAX, 3D and other premium formats. Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh leads the voice cast and says the film “reminds us how universal our stories can be.”
Written and directed by Yang Yu (better known as Jiaozi), the sequel premiered in China on 29 January and has since amassed nearly $1.9 billion, the first non-Hollywood release to clear the billion-dollar mark in a single market and 2025’s top-grossing title worldwide. Ticketing platform Maoyan reports more than 160 million domestic admissions.
With an estimated $80 million production budget from Light Chaser Animation, the picture has already posted a revenue multiple of more than twenty-five. CMC has locked in roughly 1,000 North American screens and 162 in Australia, underlining distributor confidence that the mythology-driven fantasy can connect with English-speaking audiences beyond niche circles.
CMC first confirmed an English dub in April; today’s announcement finalizes the release date while attaching Yeoh’s star power. Additional casting details remain under wraps.
Industry watchers note that the rollout arrives as Hollywood faces tighter import caps in China and Chinese studios look abroad for new revenue streams, making the partnership strategically attractive for both sides. A24, known for awards-season fare, stepped into global animation last year with “Robot Dreams”; “Ne Zha 2” will test whether a mainland blockbuster rooted in classical myth can galvanize Western multiplex audiences at scale.
CMC’s official synopsis highlights Ne Zha’s struggle to keep his newly reconstructed body intact while standing beside Ao Bing against ancient threats—a narrative the company believes can resonate far beyond its home market.
