Since the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday this year, China's movie market has shown explosive growth. As of February 9, its total box office earnings reached 15 billion RMB (2.22 billion USD), largely attributed to the films released during the eight-day holiday.

Additionally, some Chinese movies have premiered overseas, including Ne Zha 2, Detective Chinatown 1900, and Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, which has sparked a wave of international critical acclaim.

"The Chinese New Year unleashed one of the most impressive surges in moviegoing we've seen in recent years, "Richard Gelfond, CEO of Imax, said in a statement. "This is a shot of adrenaline for moviegoing in China that comes at just the right time," he added.

Among the new films, Ne Zha 2 undoubtedly stole the show, with strong word-of-mouth reviews at home and abroad. It received a high score of 8.3 out of 10 on IMDB, one of the world's most popular rating and review platforms for films, even before its U.S. release. By February 11, the blockbuster had grossed more than nine billion RMB (about 1.2 billion USD), becoming China's highest-grossing film ever and the first ever to cross one billion USD in a single market, according to Hollywood publication Deadline.

The strong recovery of the Chinese movie market reflects its tech innovation in filmmaking. Ne Zha 2 is being hailed as a symbol of progress in Chinese film, the BBC said. It received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and visual effects. Notably, it includes more than 1,900 special effects sequences, reflecting a significant advancement in animation complexity. The production team tripled the character count compared to its prequel, "a feat that is sure to impress," Snippet Magazine said.

"By harmonizing state-of-the-art visual innovation with timeless human drama, the creators have crafted a work that will undoubtedly influence the next generation of animators," a review on IMDB reads.

The great popularity of Chinese films in overseas markets also reflects the improvement in China's soft power. Ne Zha 2 focuses on the theme of anti-heroism, self-discovery and growth, patriotism and responsibility, and mastering our own destiny. According to Variety, Ne Zha 2 "underscores the growing prowess of China's animation industry and its ability to produce content that resonates deeply with both domestic and potentially international audiences."

The success sends a clear message to the global film industry. "China's domestic productions are now capable of competing at the highest level," media and entertainment news platform Where Is The Buzz said. With its attention to cultural details, and commitment to entertainment and artistic excellence, Ne Zha 2 seems poised to set new standards for animated storytelling, Snippet Magazine said.

"The 2025 Spring Festival box office performance reinforces China's status as a dominant force in the global film industry," said Screen Rant. As China continues to develop its film industry, the global entertainment is poised to see more fine films like Ne Zha 2.