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The world’s second biggest film last weekend was only shown in China
Nezha beat The Lion King in China in a rare triumph for a homegrown animated film
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This article originally appeared on ABACUS
Hey Simba, we know you just can’t wait to be king, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Ever hear of Nezha?
The Lion King might be this past weekend’s highest grossing animated movie worldwide, but in China, not even the epic remake of a beloved Disney classic can beat the power of a 3,600-year-old mythological teen hero.
The homegrown Nezha, loosely based on Chinese folklore, broke a string of records just days after its release. Its US$91.5 million opening last weekend was the highest ever for an animated film in China, dwarfing The Lion King’s US$54 million opening two weeks ago.
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Globally, it trailed only The Lion King in the box office. The Disney film had already been out for a week in most markets and came out a week early in China, but Nezha’s feat was impressive for a film showing only in one market -- China. And just today, it became the country’s biggest Chinese-made animated film ever, with ticket sales exceeding 1 billion yuan (US$145 million).
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Nezha is a character that needs no introduction in China. Just like how any Western audience would instantly recognize Robin Hood or King Arthur, Nezha is a familiar name that appears in some of China’s most celebrated classic tales.
In Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods, the hot-tempered teen slays the third son of the vengeful, man-eating Dragon King. After realizing the troubles his actions have brought to his family and neighbors, Nezha kills himself in guilt. He was later resurrected and became a spear-wielding deity.
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