Written by Tanisha Cardozo
The Chinese animation juggernaut Ne Zha 2 is set to storm international theaters this summer, with a much-anticipated English-language release scheduled for August 22, 2025. Distributed in partnership between A24 and CMC Pictures, the film will open across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — and it’s bringing some serious star power with it.
Leading the English dub is none other than Michelle Yeoh, the Academy Award-winning actress known for Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. “I’m honored to be part of Ne Zha 2, a landmark in Chinese animation,” Yeoh shared, emphasizing the film’s emotionally resonant and universal storytelling.
Directed by Yang Yu, who also helmed the first Ne Zha film in 2019, the sequel draws on The Investiture of the Gods, a legendary Chinese novel. The story follows Ne Zha — a powerful, misunderstood boy born with dangerous magical abilities. Rejected by gods and mortals alike, he must rise above his destiny to confront an ancient evil that threatens humanity itself.
But this isn’t just another animated film. Ne Zha 2 has already smashed box office records, earning 12.3 billion yuan (approximately $1.71 billion), officially dethroning Pixar’s Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated movie globally and placing it eighth on the all-time box office chart.
With a powerful mythological narrative, groundbreaking visuals, and a format available in IMAX and 3D, Ne Zha 2 is more than a film — it’s an international spectacle. While it has already captivated audiences in China, the English version could expand its reach and cultural impact dramatically.
The rest of the English voice cast has yet to be announced, but with Michelle Yeoh leading the charge, anticipation is soaring.
Whether you’re a fan of animation, mythology, or global cinema, Ne Zha 2 promises to be one of 2025’s most thrilling releases.
