Ne Zha 2 Tops Animated Box Office, Demon Slayer Expands Globally

Two non-Hollywood animated blockbusters have upended expectations for the global box office in 2025, with China’s Ne Zha 2 claiming the title of the highest grossing animated film ever and Japan’s Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie Infinity Castle surging through regional markets as it prepares for a wider international rollout. Ne Zha 2 has grossed roughly $2.218 billion worldwide, while Demon Slayer has posted record openings in Japan and strong early international receipts and presales ahead of its North American release.

Ne Zha 2, a 2025 sequel based on the mythological figure Ne Zha, opened in China on January 29 and rapidly accumulated revenue, earning 1.1 billion yuan in its first three days and more than 5 billion yuan by its eighth day, according to production figures. The film, directed by Jiaozi, cost approximately 600 million yuan, employed more than 4,000 workers across 138 animation companies and has been hailed for its animation, worldbuilding and emotional themes. Critics and audiences have been highly positive, with one review noting the sequel amplifies both action and drama without losing what worked in the original. The English dub, released on August...