The Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has made history as the first Asian film to enter the top 30 on the global box office chart, according to data from an online platform.
According to Chinese ticketing platform Beacon, "Ne Zha 2", the sequel to the 2019 hit featuring a mythical boy with magical powers and extraordinary martial arts skills, grossed over 1.152 billion U.S. dollars (including pre-sales) as of Monday, surpassing the box office earnings of "Aquaman".
Notably, the film is now the only non-Hollywood movie in the global box office top 30.
Data from the platform also shows that the total number of viewers (including pre-sales) for "Ne Zha 2" exceeded 160 million, surpassing that of "Wolf Warrior 2" and topping the list of moviegoers in Chinese film history.
Having surpassed the box office earnings of "Despicable Me 3" on Saturday and "Minions" on Monday, "Ne Zha 2" is now ranked No. 6 on the global animation box office list. It is also the first non-Hollywood film to enter the global animation film Top 10, according to the platform's data.
"Ne Zha 2" has shattered multiple box office records, becoming the first film to cross one billion U.S. dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.
The record-breaking run makes "Ne Zha 2" not just a box office titan but a cultural phenomenon, further underscoring China's ability to produce homegrown blockbusters that strike a chord with domestic audience.
China's blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" enters top 30 on global box office chart
Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province saw a soaring number of visitors from abroad on Thursday, the first day of 2026 and also the opening day of China's three-day New Year holiday, as festive celebrations unfolded across the city.
Major border checkpoints in the city recorded peak inbound passenger flows, with large numbers of travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas entering the city to experience its vibrant holiday vibes.
"I'm so happy 'cause this is the first day of 2026, and I'm bringing my friends to visit Shenzhen," said a visitor from Hong Kong.
International tourists also shared their excitement.
"It's a very modern city and it's interesting to see such a New Year Eve in such a city," said an overseas visitor.
The inbound passenger flow at Luohu Port peaked from 8:00 to 20:00 on Thursday, said an officer there, adding the average daily passenger flow during the New Year break is expected to reach about 240,000.
At the West Kowloon Station port, eye-catching red decorations themed around the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival which will mark the beginning of the Year of the Horse added to the festive mood.
As a key transportation hub of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the port also saw heavy two-way passenger traffic. Daily cross-border passenger flow there is expected to average around 100,000 during the holiday.
An Australian tourist said he was looking forward to his trip to south China.
"I am from Melbourne, Australia and I'm coming to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in China. I'm excited to see all the tall buildings, especially all the ones that light up and experience a new culture in China." said a tourist.
Outside the ports, celebrations were in full swing as the city prepared for rising visitor numbers.
A large-scale parade featuring more than 30 themed formations kicked off in the morning along the 1.6-kilometer Festival Avenue in Shenzhen's Futian District.
The event drew huge crowds with inflatable cartoon characters, lively drum performances, and traditional Yingge Dance -- a form of folk dance popular in south China's Guangdong Province that merges opera, dance, and martial arts.
Nearby commercial zones also rolled out special consumption coupons, allowing visitors to enjoy a one-stop experience combining festive celebrations and shopping.
"The atmosphere is really nice. We feel very welcomed here. It's a very, very international vibe", said an international visitor.
China continues to grow in popularity as a destination for overseas travelers. Data from online tourism platforms show that inbound flight bookings to China rose 20 percent year on year on the first day of the holiday, with Shenzhen ranking fifth among the country's most popular inbound travel destinations.
"On the first day of holiday, international flight ticket purchases to Shenzhen has increased by 52.5 percent while the international flight bookings to the city has grown by 33 percent," said Shi Ke, a researcher from big data research institute of Qunar, an online travel service provider.
Shenzhen embraces influx of visitors on first day of 2026
