Once dismissed by audiences, Chinese animation is now a box office powerhouse, thrilling viewers and rewriting industry expectations.
A decade ago, Chinese animation lagged far behind international competitors, often seen as just for kids. Today, homegrown animated features command nearly half the domestic market, proving just as innovative as their global peers, both in visual spectacle and storytelling.
This summer's sensation, "All Wishes Come True," inspired by the legend of the Eight Immortals, has earned over 1.4 billion yuan (about 20.6 million U.S. dollars) in just three weeks, topping the year's animation chart and breaking into China's all-time box office top 10.
"The plot is full of surprises, twist after twist. You don't know the truth until the very last second," said one moviegoer.
"From the art style to the way it blends traditional culture with modern life, I love every bit of it," said another.
This rise kicked off in 2015, when "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" surprised the market with nearly a billion yuan, driven by grassroots support. Then came "Ne Zha" in 2019, smashing through five billion yuan and flipping the traditionally import-led market overnight. In 2025, "Ne Zha 2" took it further, reaching 15.4 billion yuan and becoming the highest-grossing animated feature globally.
"Animation remains a dominant force this summer. Last year, three titles alone -- 'Ne Zha 2,' 'Zootopia 2,' and 'Nobody' -- claimed 42 percent of annual ticket sales. Today, quality comes first. That's a return to cinema's essence -- and animation is riding that wave," said A Lang, editor-in-chief of Movie View Magazine.
Hits like "Ne Zha," "New Gods: Yang Jian," and the "White Snake" series have won both critical praise and popular support.
"I'm a big fan of the 'Ne Zha' series, 'New Gods: Yang Jian,' and 'White Snake,'" said one moviegoer.
"'I Am What I Am' was absolutely stunning. It made me rediscover traditional lion dance," said another.
From the cultural margins to the very heart of the mainstream, Chinese animation's renaissance is still unfolding and movie fans are already waiting for the next breakthrough.
Chinese animation surges to box office milestone
