Ne Zha 2 opens in US with English dub

A Chinese animated film breaks box office records and opens in the United States with an English-language version that critics welcome.

US Critics Embrace Ne Zha 2 English Dub

An English dub of Ne Zha 2 opens in U.S. theaters this weekend, with Michelle Yeoh voicing Lady Yin. A24 is releasing the film in partnership with CMC Pictures, and it will screen in IMAX and 3D formats. Globally, the film has grossed about $2.2 billion, a record for animation, while the original Chinese version earned roughly $20 million in the United States. Rotten Tomatoes shows a 94% certified fresh score from critics.

U.S. critics have greeted the English version with praise. The New York Times calls it ambitious and a testament to the artistry in the Chinese animation industry, while the San Francisco Chronicle hails it as a must-see and a work of astounding visual imagination. Seattle Times notes that Ne Zha 2 deserves its accolades and even compares the scale and spectacle to Marvel. The Washington Post, while admiring its visuals, cautions that the story can be opaque for audiences unfamiliar with Chinese legends and frames the release as a cultural exchange with some debate about its broader impact.

The film’s U.S. rollout reflects a growing appetite for non-English animated blockbusters that blend myth with cutting-edge craft. It also highlights the complexity of cross-border cinema, where subsidies and partnerships can boost reach while inviting scrutiny. Critics celebrate the artistry and spectacle, yet some worry that a culturally specific mythic universe may still struggle to land with all American viewers. If Ne Zha 2 succeeds in U.S. theaters, it could reshape how Hollywood negotiates foreign franchises and mythic storytelling in animation.

Highlights

The world keeps turning toward cross-border storytelling, with audiences deciding what comes next.