Screen clash of the titans

As the countdown to Chinese New Year begins, one thing is certain: China's Spring Festival box office is gearing up for a spectacular showdown. With a lineup featuring cinematic heavyweights, the holiday season in the world's second-largest film market promises an epic clash of the titans.

The release date for Ne Zha 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2019 animated blockbuster Ne Zha, has officially been set for the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year's Day, which will fall on Jan 29.

The announcement was made through the film's official Weibo account on Tuesday, accompanied by a promotional video featuring a battle-ready Ne Zha, signaling the beloved character's triumphant comeback.

Directed by Yang Yu, widely known as Jiaozi, Ne Zha 2 is the result of a five-year endeavor to build on the original film's unprecedented success. Ne Zha not only became a cultural phenomenon but also secured its place as China's highest-grossing animated film of all time, earning over 5 billion yuan ($695 million).