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Animated thriller

Ne Zha (2019): Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Ne Zha (2019) movie poster

Ne Zha is a 2019 animated thriller directed by Yu Yang. It is partly based on The Investiture of the Gods, Part 1 by Xu Zhonglin and Jeff Pepper. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $726.2 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
worldwide gross
$726.2M
Echo Score
79
Metascore
54
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Ne Zha (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Yu Yang
Original language
Chinese
Budget
$20M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Ne Zha About?

The premise of Ne Zha without spoilers, adapted from The Investiture of the Gods, Part 1 by Xu Zhonglin and Jeff Pepper. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Born with a destructive power threatening the heavens, Ne Zha is hidden away to protect the realm. As he comes of age, he struggles to control his abilities and confronts a destiny that brands him a bringer of chaos. Facing prejudice and misunderstanding, Ne Zha must ultimately choose between fulfilling the prophecy or forging his own heroic path, battling powerful adversaries and defying expectations.

Ne Zha Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • demon
  • chinese animation
  • chinese legend
  • martial arts
  • showdown
  • chinese anime
  • f rated
  • chinese film
  • chinese
  • chinese language
  • chinese director
  • chinese writer
+38 more
  • chinese blockbuster
  • chinese folktale
  • gay stereotype
  • effeminate man
  • ancient god
  • nezha character
  • flying pig
  • pregnant woman
  • childbirth
  • drugged drink
  • drunkard
  • vomiting
  • chinese dragon
  • dragon egg
  • underwater scene
  • booby trap
  • pig mask
  • time jump
  • skeleton
  • turned to stone
  • banquet
  • panic
  • shapeshifter
  • stabbed in the back
  • birthday
  • good versus evil
  • scene during end credits
  • post credits scene
  • father son relationship
  • opening action scene
  • battle
  • hand to hand combat
  • fistfight
  • sword fight
  • sword
  • violence
  • cartoon violence
  • 3d
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Crew

The Director of Ne Zha

Directed by Yu Yang.

Ratings

Ne Zha Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ne Zha 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (76) and weakest in story & flow (72).

79 /100

Ne Zha Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Ne Zha demonstrates a vibrant blend of inventive craftsmanship and engaging storytelling. Across critics and audiences, the vivid animation and dynamic fight choreography are frequently praised, while the thematic depth around destiny and familial bonds resonates with viewers. Some critics note uneven pacing and occasional flat emotional beats, yet the strong visual style and compelling mythological context sustain interest. In sum, Ne Zha delivers a largely positive experience that balances fresh cultural perspective with energetic execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 76

    In terms of art and craft, Ne Zha showcases bold visual choices and dynamic framing. The animation quality receives frequent commendation, with detailed character expressions and fluid camera movements. Critics point to a blend of traditional aesthetic with modern pacing, while some note occasional inconsistency in scene transitions. Overall, the film’s art direction contributes a vivid and engaging backdrop to the narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    When it comes to character and emotion, Ne Zha benefits from strong voice performances and lively interpersonal dynamics. Viewers praise the protagonist’s arc and the nuanced portrayal of familial bonds, highlighting moments of warmth and humor. Some feedback points to uneven emotional beats that occasionally undercut deeper resonance. Ultimately, character depth anchors the film, offering relatable motivations amid mythological spectacle.

  • Story & Flow 72

    In terms of story and flow, Ne Zha presents an original fusion of mythological lore and modern plot structures. The narrative engages with themes of destiny and self-determination, earning praise for its inventive premise and emotional stakes. Some critics observe uneven pacing and occasional narrative gaps that disrupt momentum. Nevertheless, the film sustains interest through dynamic set pieces and thought-provoking thematic contrasts.

  • Sensory Experience 76

    When considering the sensory experience, Ne Zha delivers striking audio-visual design and an energetic score. The vibrant color palette and dynamic sound mixing enhance fight sequences and emotional moments alike. While some viewers note occasional imbalance in action intensity, the overall cohesion of visuals and music receives widespread commendation. Consequently, the sensory dimension elevates the film’s immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 73

    In terms of rewatch factor, Ne Zha offers lasting appeal through its blend of humor, mythology, and action. Viewers express eagerness to revisit favorite scenes, noting memorable fight choreography and recurring emotional beats. Critiques of occasional pacing lulls do little to diminish the desire for subsequent viewings. Overall, the film sustains sufficient replay value to warrant repeated experience.

Plot

Ne Zha Plot Summary

What happens in Ne Zha from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

After the fateful encounter with heavenly lightning, both Ne Zha and Ao Bing find themselves in an extraordinary predicament when their physical forms are utterly destroyed. In a desperate attempt to save their souls from fading away, Master Taiyi Zhenren utilizes his powerful Seven-colored Sacred Lotus to restore their bodies, although they remain frail and vulnerable. Meanwhile, believing his son is lost forever, Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, unleashes his wrath upon the town, unleashing the long-imprisoned monsters that lie beneath his palace, including the other three Dragon Kings of the Four Seas. In a fierce battle to defend Chentang Pass, Ao Bing’s new body cannot withstand the immense strain and crumbles to pieces.

Full summary

The whole story of Ne Zha, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Ne Zha Box Office & Budget

Ne Zha grossed $726.2 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 36 times what it cost. $3.7 million came from the US and Canada and $722.5 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$726.2M

36× its budget

US & Canada
$3.7M
International
$722.5M
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

Ne Zha Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ne Zha.

NE ZHA (2019) Official Trailer | Watch Now!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ne Zha?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who are the two main characters that are struck by heavenly lightning?

Details

Ne Zha Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “哪吒” and “Nezha”.

Also known as
  • 哪吒
  • Nezha
  • Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child
  • ناچا : ميلاد الطفل الشيطان
  • Nezha: Zrození dětského démona
  • Ne zha zhi mo tong jiang shi
  • Nezha - El renacer de un dios
  • 나타지마동강세
  • Нэчжа
  • นาจา
  • Nezha: A Démongyermek születése
  • Неза
+7 more
  • Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child
  • Na Tra: Ma Đồng Giáng Thế
  • نژا
  • ナタ~魔童降臨~
  • Нечжа: народження демона
  • ناچا
  • Не Жа

Seen Ne Zha?

FAQ

Ne Zha FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings, the book behind it, post-credit scenes and language of Ne Zha, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ne Zha?

Ne Zha runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Ne Zha released?

Ne Zha was released on August 29, 2019.

Who directed Ne Zha?

Ne Zha was directed by Yu Yang.

More films by Yu Yang

How much did Ne Zha make at the box office?

Ne Zha grossed $726.2 million worldwide ($3.7 million domestic, $722.5 million international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is Ne Zha rated?

Ne Zha has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 54 on Metacritic, 79% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Is Ne Zha based on a book?

Yes. Ne Zha is partly adapted from The Investiture of the Gods, Part 1 by Xu Zhonglin and Jeff Pepper.

Does Ne Zha have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Ne Zha has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

What language is Ne Zha in?

The original language of Ne Zha is Chinese.

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