After taking domestic cinemas by storm, Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 is also making a big splash in Oceanian markets.
At a cinema in Sydney, Australia, the movie is drawing large crowds. The staff there told the China Central Television (CCTV) that since its official release on Feb.13, the film has made a strong debut at the box office.
Cinema manager Cameron Woodhouse said they are considering to extend the film's run depending on the current box office performance.
"Wonderful! It's been a wonderful film and it's been had a wonderful reception here. We've been selling out sessions of Ne Zha 2 and we've had a wonderful reaction to it. The positive atmosphere and environment that we see and people's attitude when they come out of the cinema has been wonderful," said Woodhouse.
Thanks to its stunning visuals and gripping storyline, the film has not only garnered interest among the local Chinese community, but has also resonated with audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds.
"I think it was really good. The animation was perfect, the story was good and I think they should make the third one quicker I guess. Just the relationship between the two characters, the bonding is really good. It is the best movie, best animation and a good storyline," said Australian moviegoer Benjamin.
"I would definitely recommend it to my friend. The animation looks really high quality. The story, even though I've never [spoken] a word of Chinese in my life, I can still perfectly understand everything that's going on. When I saw his mom die, that really left an impression on me because I went to a boarding school in 2023 and just the thought of losing my mom really resonated deep with those deep emotions I had back then. The animation, the impact frames, it was definitely comparable to some of the top things I've watched," said Louis, a Vietnamese-Australian viewer.
In New Zealand, the film's box office performance has also made a splash. Its portrayal of traditional Chinese culture and well-developed characters have received praises from local audiences. Due to the increasing demand, many theaters are adding more screenings and extending their schedules.
At a theater of one of New Zealand's largest cinema chains, many screenings are close to selling out. The film has struck a chord with many moviegoers.
"I think it was a really good movie and it had really good ideas. I liked the ideas and how it was put together and the quality was very good," said Ruby, a moviegoer.
"And also I found that very emotional in some parts, like when he got covered in spikes and the mom just wanted one last hug. I learned that you should always love your mother no matter what," said another moviegoer.
Roy, a local man, praised the film's overall quality: "Really top notch, really good quality, good characters, the visual effects, everything was quite impressive. Behind all of that, just seeing the message behind family and culture and friendship. So I think some of those themes were came through really strong. So yeah, that was cool to see. Would love to see more as well."
Paul, another New Zealand viewer, said: "That was a very exciting movie, lots of action, the animation was quite amazing really, I've never seen a Chinese animation before and I think the transformation of the characters is pretty amazing."
Tao Li, a Chinese film director based in New Zealand, commented: "I believe this symbolizes the global rise of Chinese film production. It's a very welcome phenomenon, and it will play an immeasurable role in pushing Chinese film industry further in global production and distribution."
Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 wows audiences in Australia, New Zealand
Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 wows audiences in Australia, New Zealand
