In a surprising twist to the 2025 box office race, an animated children’s film has taken the lead ahead of major Hollywood franchises. The Chinese animated movie Ne Zha 2 has stunned global audiences and industry analysts by becoming the highest-grossing film of the year so far, leaving behind blockbuster titles like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Marvel’s Thunderbolts, and Captain America: Brave New World.
By the halfway mark of 2025, the global box office has seen remarkable growth, with Hollywood bouncing back despite some notable disappointments. While Marvel’s recent releases struggled to regain momentum, and horror films like Sinners and Final Destination: Bloodlines found niche success, it was Ne Zha 2—a film without global stars or a Hollywood budget—that became the frontrunner.
Made with a modest budget of ¥600 million (approximately $80 million), Ne Zha 2 has grossed a staggering $2.2 billion globally. The film now holds the record as the highest-grossing animated film in history and ranks among the top five highest-grossing films ever—trailing only behind legendary blockbusters like Avatar and Avengers: Endgame.
Following Ne Zha 2 is Warner Bros’ Minecraft Movie, which has earned $948 million worldwide. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch reboot is in third place with $632 million, followed by another Chinese film, Detective Chinatown 1900, while Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World rounds out the current top five.
Ne Zha 2’s dominance is rooted in its massive popularity across China. Drawing from local mythology and folklore, the film has resonated strongly with audiences, becoming a family-friendly favorite. With China boasting over 90,000 cinema screens, the movie has enjoyed sustained viewership, often selling out for weeks at a time.
The film’s earnings eclipse other major titles, with Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning bringing in $389 million and Thunderbolts just behind at $371 million. Despite their wide international release, neither could match the explosive performance of the Chinese animated feature.
Looking ahead, dethroning Ne Zha 2 will be no small feat. Only four films in history—Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Titanic—have earned more. However, the rest of 2025 includes high-profile contenders such as James Gunn’s Superman reboot, Marvel’s new Fantastic Four, and the highly anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash from James Cameron, set to release this December.
