Bollywood Ends 2025 on a High, but China’s Ne Zha 2 Dominates Global Box Office

Bollywood capped off 2025 with a record-breaking run for Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. The spy thriller, released on December 5, has grossed ₹1,064 crore globally as of December 28, making it the seventh-highest grossing Indian film of all time domestically. The film’s high-octane narrative and massive domestic fan base have made it a cultural phenomenon, reinforcing Ranveer Singh’s position as one of Bollywood’s leading stars.

Dhurandhar’s Domestic Triumph

Opening on over 5,000 screens across India, Dhurandhar saw its screen count rise to more than 6,800 due to audience demand. Critics and fans alike praised the film’s technical brilliance and espionage-driven storytelling, positioning it as one of the most successful Indian releases of the year.

Despite these achievements, when viewed through a global lens, the film’s box office is modest compared to international blockbusters.

Ne Zha 2: China’s Record-Breaking Animated Sensation

While Bollywood celebrated its success, the biggest global hit of 2025 is China’s animated fantasy adventure, Ne Zha 2. Released on January 29, the film has earned over $2.2 billion worldwide (approximately ₹18,000 crore), according to Deadline, making it the highest-grossing animated film ever.

Ne Zha 2’s feat is notable for several reasons:

• It surpassed $2 billion within two months, joining an elite club of films that have achieved this milestone.

• It became the first non-English animated film and the second non-Disney animated movie after Shrek 2 (2004) to cross the $2 billion mark.

• The film’s budget was just $80 million, demonstrating an exceptional return on investment.

The story, directed by Jiaozi, follows a rebellious, mythological boy who defies a destructive fate, resonating strongly with Chinese audiences. Its predecessor, made on a $22 million budget, had previously grossed $742.7 million.

Screen Count and Market Impact

A major factor behind Ne Zha 2’s staggering revenue is its vast release in China—around 80,000 screens at peak. The English-dubbed version later released in 2,228 theatres in the U.S., Australia, and other markets but contributed only a small fraction of the total earnings. In the U.S., it grossed roughly $1.4 million, averaging $628 per screen.

For comparison, Dhurandhar’s release was massive by Indian standards but still dwarfed by Ne Zha 2’s scale and reach.

Animated Films Lead 2025

Interestingly, 2025 has been dominated by animated films at the global box office. Following Ne Zha 2, the top spots include Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, Minecraft Movie, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Looking Ahead

While Dhurandhar marks a high point for Bollywood and sets the stage for more ambitious local productions, Ne Zha 2 highlights the growing influence of Chinese cinema on the international stage. Its combination of mythology, action, and cultural resonance demonstrates the potential of well-crafted domestic films to achieve extraordinary global success, even without Hollywood-level budgets.