People pose for photos in front of movie posters for Ne Zha 2 in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, during a series of cultural activities related to the movie on February 12, 2025.

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has surpassed the global box-office earnings of Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War (2018), becoming the sixth highest-grossing film globally on Sunday with a total of box office 14.882 billion yuan ($2.052 billion).

The milestone marks a significant leap for China's animation industry, transitioning from a phase of "catching up" to "leading" on the global stage, Zhang Peng, a film researcher and an associate professor at Nanjing Normal University, told the Global Times. 

"Ne Zha 2's climb to the sixth spot in global box-office history represents both a cultural and technological breakthrough for China's film industry," Zhang noted. 

"It has not only reshaped global perceptions of Chinese intellectual property but also underscored the rise of China's soft cultural power."

The film is now within reach of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), which sits at No.5 with 15.019 billion yuan. 

Globally, the film is expanding its reach. On Saturday, it held a premiere at the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia. The event drew nearly 1,000 attendees, including cultural figures from China and Malaysia, media representatives, and local fans, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Long queues formed at the entrance as attendees collected tickets. Many fans wore headbands inspired by the film's protagonist for photo opportunities.

Attendee Chin Pui Ling shared with the Global Times that at the entrance of the cinema, a themed photo zone featured professional cosplayers recreating the iconic looks of Nezha and other characters, drawing crowds. 

Amberlin Chin, a Malaysian college student who participated in the event, told the Global Times that the cinema was crowded during the premiere day and that she also spotted some well-known influencers promoting the event.  

The organizer prepared some adorable hairbands styled like Nezha's signature double buns. 

"I could see the organizers' attention to detail," she said.

"The audience was fully engaged. It just wasn't enough. Even after the screening, I heard many people discussing the plot," she reflected.

Sabrina Gan Xin Li, a Malaysian Chinese attendee, shared her excitement about the event with the Global Times. 

"The atmosphere in the theater was very good! Everyone really got the jokes; and during emotional moments, you could hear people sniffling," she said, adding that the film was screened with Chinese, English, and Malay subtitles to cater to the diverse audience.

Gan also praised the film's storytelling, highlighting its themes of maternal love and emotional depth. 

"The IMAX version made the visuals even more stunning," she said. Despite not having seen the first Ne Zha film, her friend still found the sequel highly "enjoyable."

"The film lived up to my expectations. I hope the box office keeps climbing," she said.

"Chinese films are gaining increasing popularity in the Malaysian market," said Tan Cheong Tatt, chief operation officer of TGV Cinemas, during the premiere event.

TGV Cinemas is one of the major cinema chains in Malaysia. Tan noted that the production quality of Chinese animated films has improved dramatically compared to the past.

The film will continue its Southeast rollout, premiering in the Philippines on March 12, followed by Thailand on March 13. To better connect with audiences, localized versions will include Thai subtitles. In Thailand, the distributor has produced Thai-language posters and added Thai annotations to the international trailer, making the film more accessible to local viewers. The film was released in Singapore on Thursday.

"In Southeast Asia, the large ethnic Chinese population provides a natural audience base. Traditional cultural symbols and family ethics resonate across cultures," Zhang said. "Moreover, the film employs precise localization strategies, such as subtitles in Malay and Thai, which help bridge cultural gaps."

Beyond localization, the film's high-quality production and innovative storytelling have sparked social media buzz, demonstrating its global appeal through a fusion of oriental aesthetics and modern values, Zhang added.