The Chinese-produced animated sensation "Ne Zha 2" has made its mark on the U.S. market following its release last Friday, quickly winning over audiences after its first week in American theaters.
The film grossed 7.2 million U.S. dollars during its opening weekend in the U.S., reflecting the appetite for the film among American moviegoers.
As a sequel to the 2019 animated hit "Ne Zha", the latest installment continues the tale of a rebellious boy-god based on Chinese mythology, and the story has proven popular among many who headed out to catch the film in U.S. cinemas.
"I love the story behind Ne Zha, and I've been reading this cartoon about Ne Zha since I was a little kid, and now I really wanted to see the movie, especially given its unprecedented success at the box office," said Li Tian, a film fan in Los Angeles.
Audiences have been captivated not only by the film's stunning visuals but also by its rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance, while fans who have seen both "Ne Zha" films highlighted the significant advancements they have observed in China's animation industry.
"It took five years for the production cycle to make this second movie, and the special effects are much better than the first one. Also the characters, the animation quality and special effects are all much better than before. And I hope to see more and more Chinese movies in the global film industry," said Tian Lei, a U.S. film enthusiast.
Since its release on the Chinese mainland on the Chinese New Year on Jan. 29, the film has shattered multiple records, and on Tuesday it became the highest-grossing animation movie of all time after surpassing the U.S. animated hit "Inside Out 2."
As well as being the highest-grossing Chinese film of all time, the movie is also the highest-grossing non-Hollywood production ever, and it became the first film to rake in over a billion U.S. dollars in a single market.
Since its initial release in 24 major U.S. cities on Feb. 14, screenings of the film have since expanded to over 400 cities and 770 theaters across the country.
Experts say the big budget production of "Ne Zha 2" represents a significant leap forward for China's film industry, particularly in its impressive special effects.
"It's a big step forward in terms of special effects. It's a big step forward for the budget, even. [It's] certainly the most expensive animated film that China has produced. And some of the others have been quite heavily budgeted. So this is unusual," said Stanley Rosen, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California.
Chinese animated sensation "Ne Zha 2" gets thumbs up from US audiences
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
