Why Your Brand Can’t Ignore Ne Zha 2 - And What It Means for Global Marketing

A huge thank you to CGTN for having me on their broadcast news segment last week to talk about Ne Zha 2 and its record-breaking success. It’s always exciting to see how global films - especially in animation - are reshaping the entertainment industry, proving that great content isn’t just coming from Hollywood, and brand marketers need to take note.

If your brand is still only looking at U.S.-based entertainment for marketing opportunities, you’re missing out on the biggest shift happening in pop culture today.

Why Ne Zha 2 is More Than Just a Hit Movie

To understand why Ne Zha 2 matters, you first need to know that this isn’t just a one-off animated film - it’s part of a growing Chinese franchise that has already proven its staying power. And beyond that, it's just a great film. The first movie is packed with universal truths that resonate across cultures, told through a compelling story that makes you truly care about the characters.

The Ne Zha Franchise: A Cultural Phenomenon

• The first Ne Zha movie (2019) grossed $726 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Chinese animated film of all time.
• It became China’s first animated film to gross over $100M outside China, signaling global appetite for non-Hollywood animation - as well as showed off the talents of Chinese animators who achieved the level of VFX detail offered by Hollywood filmmaking.
• Ne Zha 2, released on January 29, 2025, smashed records in just 11 days, becoming the highest-grossing non-English film ever in a single market - outpacing even Star Wars: The Force Awakens in domestic earnings.
• Licensed Ne Zha 2 products in China have already hit $53 million in sales, proving that franchises outside the U.S. can generate massive brand revenue.

What This Means for Marketers

• Global animated franchises aren’t just Hollywood’s game anymore - brands need to recognize the power of Asian and European content in shaping consumer trends.
• These films are bringing in not just local audiences, but international ones, meaning brand partnerships tied to these franchises have worldwide impact.
• Marketers who only look at U.S. films are missing out on billions of dollars in brand integration, sponsorship, and co-marketing potential.

Pop Culture Influence Comes From All Over the World - Not Just Hollywood

For decades, American entertainment dominated global pop culture. That’s no longer the case.

From TV series to music to animated films, international content is setting new trends - and brands that recognize this early are the ones winning.

Examples of Global Entertainment Driving Consumer Trends

• Squid Game (South Korea) → Netflix’s most-watched series ever, leading to major global brand partnerships.
• Elite (Spain) → A Netflix hit that Ralph Lauren partnered with - a deal our team at Hollywood Branded helped execute, bringing the luxury fashion house into the world of one of Spain’s most-watched series.
• Demon Slayer (Japan) → The highest-grossing anime film worldwide, with merchandising sales that outpaced major Hollywood blockbusters.
• Ne Zha 2 (China) → Now breaking records, proving that China’s animation industry is no longer just “catching up” - it’s leading.

Keep on reading to better understand why global franchises are a brand masterclass in partnership opportunities!