How Ne Zha 2 dethroned Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated film ever
Film critic Rachel Ho explains how the Chinese fantasy feature earned its place in animation history
If you're an animation fan, by now you've probably heard of the Chinese fantasy feature Ne Zha 2. If you haven't, then you may be surprised to learn that the film has recently surpassed Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
The sequel follows the titular character Ne Zha, as he embarks on a sort of vengeance mission with the help of kings, gods and other mythical creatures, in order to restore health and peace to his community.
The film is not only the biggest film of 2025 and the biggest film ever produced in China, but it's also the fifth-highest grossing movie in global box office history, having made more than $2 billion.
Today on Commotion, film critic Rachel Ho joins host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain how the franchise film achieved world domination and earned its place in animated film history.
You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Interview with Rachel Ho produced by Stuart Berman.