Experience the Magic of ‘Ne Zha’: Book Your Seats at Garden Cineplex for the Epic Chinese Animated Film Franchise!
Prepare for an exciting cinematic experience at the Book Garden Cineplex in Tehran, where the highly acclaimed Chinese 3D-animated film series “Ne Zha” will be screening this weekend. The cineplex will feature the original “Ne Zha” (2019) on Thursday, followed by “Ne Zha 2” (2025) on Friday. Each screening will be accompanied by a review session, providing an opportunity for audience engagement and discussion, as reported by ILNA.
“Ne Zha” is a captivating fantasy comedy adventure animation directed and written by Jiaozi, produced by his studio, Chengdu Coco Cartoon. The film draws inspiration from the popular Chinese mythological character Ne Zha and is loosely based on the 16th-century novel “Investiture of the Gods” by Xu Zhonglin.
The storyline revolves around a young boy named Ne Zha, who is the reincarnation of the demon orb, separated from the chaos pearl by the Primeval Lord of Heaven, Yuanshi Tianzun. With the destructive powers of a demon orb, Ne Zha becomes an outcast in the town of Chengtang Pass, facing animosity and fear from the townsfolk. He is prophesied to bring destruction but must navigate the struggle between good and evil to redefine his fate and emerge as a hero.
Despite being the debut feature of both its director and animation studio, “Ne Zha” achieved remarkable success, becoming one of the biggest commercial hits in Chinese cinema. The film set multiple box office records, including:
- Highest-grossing animated film in China
- Highest-grossing film of 2019 in China
- Worldwide highest-grossing non-U.S. animated film
- Worldwide second-highest-grossing non-English-language film of all time at release
With an impressive gross of over $742 million, it ranked as the fourth-highest-grossing animated film of that year and the fifth-highest-grossing film in China’s history.
Following the success of the original film, “Ne Zha 2” continues the adventure of Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing. After a significant sacrifice, only Ne Zha’s body can be recreated, with Ao Bing’s spirit residing within him. This unique dynamic plays a crucial role in Ne Zha’s fight against the malevolent Master Shen.
Similar to its predecessor, “Ne Zha 2” received overwhelmingly positive feedback from critics and surpassed commercial expectations, grossing an astonishing $2.2 billion worldwide against a production budget of $80 million. The film achieved several box office milestones, including:
- Highest-grossing film in a single box office territory
- Highest-grossing animated film
- Highest-grossing adult animated film
- Highest-grossing non-English language film
- First animated film to cross the $2 billion mark
“Ne Zha 2” is not only recognized as the highest-grossing film of 2025 but also ranks as the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time. The film’s blend of stunning animation, engaging storytelling, and cultural depth resonates with audiences globally, making it a must-watch event this weekend.
Attending the screenings at the Book Garden Cineplex presents a unique opportunity to delve into the rich narrative of Ne Zha and explore the themes of destiny, friendship, and the battle between good and evil. Don’t miss out on this cinematic event that promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.
For more information about the screenings and review sessions, be sure to check the schedule at the Book Garden Cineplex. Experience the magic of “Ne Zha” and “Ne Zha 2” this weekend, and join the conversation around these groundbreaking animated films!
