Chinese Animated Mega-Hit Ne Zha II Opens in US Featuring Michelle Yeoh

Ne Zha 2, an animated film rooted in Chinese mythology, has become the highest-grossing animated movie worldwide, surpassing Pixar's Inside Out 2 and earning over $2 billion globally. The film, which follows the demigod child Ne Zha on a quest to save his friend Ao Bing, features vibrant animation and action scenes that have drawn comparisons to Marvel movies. A24 released an English-dubbed version in the United States, featuring Michelle Yeoh as Lady Yin, Ne Zha's mother, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and introduce Western audiences to Chinese mythological stories. Yeoh emphasized the film's universal themes of family, love, and acceptance, hoping to move beyond viewing it solely as a Chinese film and instead appreciate its rich storytelling. The film's success in China and the English release reflect a growing recognition of Chinese cinema's technical and narrative prowess on the global stage. Yeoh, who sees this as part of a broader cultural exchange, advocates for Hollywood to embrace more Asian mythological characters in mainstream storytelling.