Earlier this month, A24 announced that they had acquired the rights to rerelease “Ne Zha 2,” the Chinese animated film that became the highest-grossing animated movie ever made when it originally released in theaters this January. Now, the first trailer for the company’s English dub version of the film has been released, showcasing the action epic’s vibrant, beautifully animated fantasy world.
The sequel to 2019’s “Ne Zha,” “Ne Zha 2” is based upon the eponymous deity from Buddist, Taoist, and Chinese folk religion tradition. Inspired by the 16th century novel “Investiture of the Gods,” the two movies focus on the young Ne Zha, a boy born as the reincarnation of an ancient demon orb. Shunned and feared by the people of his hometown, the boy attempts to subvert a prophecy foretelling his descent into evil and prove himself a hero. The second movie follows Ne Zha, reborn after losing his physical body after the events of the first film, as he goes on a quest to complete three trials needed to become an immortal, and save his town and family in the process.
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Along with the trailer, A24 also announced several members of the voice cast, joining the initially announced Michelle Yeoh, who plays Ne Zha’s mother Lady Yin. Vincent Rodriguez III, Aleks Le, Damien Haas, and Crystal Lee also star in the English dub.
Written and directed by Yang Yu (also credited as Jiaozi), the first “Ne Zha” was extremely successful upon release, grossing over $700 million. The sequel, however, proved a genuine phenomenon, making $2.2 billion worldwide. The massive figure makes the film by far the highest-grossing movie of 2025, the highest-grossing animated and non-English film of all time, and the fifth highest-grossing movie ever made. Almost none of that revenue came from the United States, as the film was initially released in the U.S. by CMC Pictures via a limited run on February 14.
The English version of “Ne Zha 2” will premiere on August 22, in IMAX, 3D, and other premium formats. The film will screen in the U.S., Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand theaters. Watch the trailer below.
