Record-Breaking Chinese Animated Film Heads to U.S. Theaters with English Dub, Michelle Yeoh Joins Cast

The world’s biggest animated movie is finally getting an English-language release. The Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 will hit theaters in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on August 22, according to A24 and CMC Pictures.

The movie will be shown in IMAX, 3D, and other premium formats. It’s also getting a big boost from Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, who has joined the English voice cast.

Directed and written by Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, Ne Zha 2 is a follow-up to the 2019 film Ne Zha. It’s based on classic Chinese mythology, specifically stories from Investiture of the Gods, a 16th-century novel by Xu Zhonglin. The movie tells the story of Ne Zha, a boy born with powerful and dangerous abilities. The gods fear him, and even his mortal parents struggle to control his powers. When a mysterious ancient force threatens the world, Ne Zha has to rise to the occasion and become the hero he was meant to be.

The film first premiered in China on January 29, 2025, during Lunar New Year. Since then, it’s been a massive hit, making over $2.2 billion worldwide on an $80 million budget. According to Chinese box office data, that makes Ne Zha 2 the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. It’s also the most successful non-English language movie ever made and the first animated film to earn over $2 billion globally. Right now, it’s the top-grossing movie of 2025 and ranks fifth among the highest-grossing movies of all time.

Michelle Yeoh shared her excitement about joining the film in a statement: “I’m honored to be part of ‘Ne Zha 2,’ a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be. Sharing this with audiences in English is such a joy, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the wonder, heart, spectacular artistry and magic of this film on the big screen.”

In this sequel, Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing are struck by lightning from the gods. Their bodies are destroyed, but their teacher Master Taiyi Zhenren uses a sacred lotus flower to bring them back. However, their new forms are fragile. Thinking Ao Bing has died, his father, the Dragon King of the East Sea, leads a fierce attack on Chentang Pass. Ao Bing fights back, but his rebuilt body begins to fall apart from the effort.

The response in China has been full of praise. The film scored an 8.5 out of 10 on Douban, while ticket platforms Maoyan and Taopiaopiao gave it even higher ratings, 9.7 and 9.8 out of 10. Red Star News said the movie stood out for its story and visuals, and commented that it “uses a solid script and accurate expression of values, proving that ‘respect for the audience’ is the real box office password.” Shangguan News appreciated how the movie stayed true to the style of the first one and improved its action scenes, but noted the plot didn’t offer many surprises.

With its mix of ancient myth, stunning animation, and powerful themes, Ne Zha 2 is now ready to reach a wider audience. A24 is betting that Western viewers will be just as impressed as fans in China.

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