Ne Zha 2: The $2B Animated Hit Takes Over Beijing with Poster Exhibition

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The playful underdog Ne Zha has bewitched not just China’s box office and earnings, but also cinema-goers around the world. The sequel, Ne Zha 2, produced by Enlight Pictures, has recently surpassed a $2 billion global box office milestone, making it the highest-grossing animated movie ever made worldwide.

Naturally, given its massive success, it’s expected that the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (ongoing until April 26) would organize celebratory events. Among these events is a unique exhibit showcasing hand-painted film posters.

Given the triumphant success of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, it’s only fitting that they would arrange special events to honor this achievement. One such event is an exhibition featuring beautifully crafted hand-painted movie posters.

Ne Zha, originally hails from Chinese mythology and is the main character of a well-known 16th-century novel. In the recent adaptation from 2019, the title character is born with disadvantages and is the reborn spirit of a demon. He struggles against his destiny to protect his village. In the subsequent story, Ne Zha encounters fresh challenges as he confronts the corrupt deities and demons who rule the celestial realm.

On Thursday, we got a peek at a showcase of 150 posters for the upcoming sequel, meticulously created by director Yang Yu (nicknamed “Jiaozi,” or “Dumpling”), and felt the electricity of fan enthusiasm at this unique event in Beijing.

Visitors at the exhibition hall near Langyuan Station in Beijing’s capital city can gain entry by scanning a QR code on the entrance using the messaging and social media app, WeChat. After successfully scanning, they display their WeChat confirmation to the attending staff for verification.

As they arrive, fans are first welcomed by a poster similar to the one depicted in the picture you see, before stepping into an area adorned with hand-drawn posters and filled with visual displays of Ne Zha and other characters from the movie series. Though THR navigated this space during a quieter period, both young and old visitors were actively trying to dodge the frames of others eagerly taking photos.

While being able to read and comprehend Chinese certainly enhances the depth of the experience, it’s not necessary to find the posters in the exhibition, even those depicted in the image provided, enjoyable or entertaining.

Gradually, you find yourself gaining a deeper understanding of the mentality of Jiaozi, who suddenly gained fame as a celebrity in China following the initial success of the Ne Zha film, and serving as an inspiration to others.

Ultimately, it’s acknowledged that he infused his unique personality into both Ne Zha and its follow-up. In the classic Chinese mythological text from the Ming Dynasty, Fengshen Yanyi, or “The Investiture of the Gods,” Ne Zha is among the heroes. However, he is typically presented as a handsome young character in literature, while animated films tend to show him as a mischievous boy with both adorable and unattractive characteristics.

You needn’t be familiar with the “Ne Zha” movies to appreciate a fun-filled, 15-minute experience at this free event. The show features a charming, spirited protagonist battling against bias, regardless of prior exposure.

At the conclusion of the exhibition in Beijing, we get a hint of the intense enthusiasm the animated character has sparked among its followers. To begin with, there’s a massive wall adorned with scrawled messages and sketches penned by both fanboys and fangirls.

Furthermore, there’s a compact shopping corner, stocked with trinkets like keychains and water bottles. On Thursdays, families and individual tourists were seen haggling over prices and patiently waiting in line to purchase souvenirs. Somewhere, Ne Zha might be observing – perhaps, with a naughty grin.

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2025-04-24 09:54