Ne Zha 2 Streaming on HBO Max: A New Milestone for the Animated Sequel
The biggest box office hit of 2025, Ne Zha 2, will be streaming on HBO Max in time for the holidays. After grossing more than $2 billion worldwide, China’s animated sequel became the highest-earning film of 2025 and the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time at the global box office. This achievement is a testament to the film’s engaging storyline and stunning animation, which have captivated audiences worldwide.
Now, HBO Max subscribers will be able to watch the English-dubbed version of Ne Zha 2 on the streaming platform as of December 24. Additionally, the first Ne Zha film will make its HBO Max debut on December 1, allowing subscribers to watch both movies during the holiday season. This is a great opportunity for fans to experience the entire Ne Zha saga, and for new viewers to discover the magic of this beloved animated series.
A Brief Overview of Ne Zha 2
A rebellious young boy, Ne Zha, is feared by the gods and born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers. Now he’s faced with an ancient force intent on destroying humanity, he must grow up to become the hero the world needs. With its richly detailed world-building and memorable characters, Ne Zha 2 has become a global phenomenon, appealing to audiences of all ages.
The English dub’s cast is led by Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, Crystal Lee, Vincent Rodriguez III, and Aleks Le. The film’s director, Yang Yu, has done an outstanding job in bringing this epic story to life, with a runtime of 144 minutes that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Box Office Performance and Records
Ne Zha 2’s U.S. box office performance only yielded $23 million, but it now has the opportunity to find a wider U.S. audience after it begins streaming on HBO Max, especially with subscribers being able to watch the sequel and the original 2019 film that preceded it. At the worldwide box office, Ne Zha 2 knocked Star Wars: The Force Awakens out of the top 5 and claimed the 2015 movie’s spot. Along the way, it also surpassed Avengers: Infinity War, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Inside Out 2, and Jurassic World.
The only movies to have made more worldwide than Ne Zha 2 are Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Titanic. Ne Zha 2 dethroning Inside Out 2 makes the Chinese movie the highest-grossing animated film of all time. This milestone was achieved less than a year after the Pixar sequel grossed nearly $1.7 million globally and became the all-time top earner for an animated film.
Upcoming Animated Movies and the Future of the Genre
Between Zootopia 2, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Toy Story 5, Shrek 5, Spider-Man: Beyond the Verse, and Frozen 3, many animated movies are releasing in the next two years that are expected to perform incredibly well at the box office. While they will all undoubtedly be box office hits, they have a high bar to achieve if they are to reach or surpass Ne Zha 2‘s numbers. The success of Ne Zha 2 has raised the stakes for future animated films, and it will be exciting to see how these upcoming movies fare in comparison.
With its groundbreaking animation and engaging storyline, Ne Zha 2 has set a new standard for animated films. As the movie begins streaming on HBO Max, fans and new viewers alike will have the opportunity to experience this epic adventure and discover why it has become a global phenomenon.
