By Variety | Created at 2025-03-10 10:31:55 | Updated at 2025-03-10 14:14:11
5 hours ago
Trinity CineAsia has secured theatrical distribution rights for “Ne Zha 2” across 37 European territories, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France and Spain, from Beijing Enlight Media. The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.
The Chinese animated epic has made history as the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, surpassing “Inside Out 2,” and becoming the first non-Hollywood production to crack the global all-time top 10 box office chart. It currently ranks sixth behind only “Avatar,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and “Titanic.” The film has also achieved the unprecedented milestone of grossing $1 billion in a single market – China – where it was released on Jan. 29. It passed $2 billion in China over the weekend.
“Rarely do you get a film that truly defines the era, shows again the unique power of cinema to move audiences, and makes an indelible mark on culture. This is ‘Ne Zha 2,'” said Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia. “It signifies a major turning point in further establishing Trinity CineAsia as a pan-European distributor.”
“After years spent cultivating the audience and building relationships with exhibitors, press and other stakeholders, as well as our online presence, it is a landmark for Trinity CineAsia in terms of reaching the far corners of the continent and developing our offering to a far larger audience. We look forward to more adventures in this realm,” Behrel added.
The film follows Ne Zha, a demon child raised by humans, who must embark on a perilous quest to obtain an elixir to restore the body of his uneasy ally, the dragon prince Ao Bing. During this journey, Ne Zha uncovers a conspiracy threatening to ignite a war between good and evil.
Rooted in 16th-century Chinese mythology but offering a bold reinterpretation, “Ne Zha 2” represents a technical marvel in animation. The film was crafted over five years by a team of 4,000 animators and features nearly 2,000 visual effects shots. One battle sequence reportedly involved 200 million individually animated characters – an approach rarely implemented at this scale.
Beyond its technical achievements, director Jiao Zi’s sequel builds upon the themes of its predecessor. While the first film centered on defying fate, “Ne Zha 2” challenges institutions and the status quo, exploring the concept that good and evil are not determined by race or origin.
Trinity CineAsia has established itself as a premium distributor for martial arts and Asian action cinema in the U.K. market. Its recent releases include “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” (Hong Kong’s submission to the 2025 Oscars), “Black Dog” (which won at Cannes Un Certain Regard), and “The Goldfinger,” which reunited “Infernal Affairs” stars Tony Leung and Andy Lau.
