Ne Zha II is the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and thanks to a narrowed film market, you’re only now learning about it. You see, the film debuted earlier this year in February to a limited US release, then A24 bought it for distribution and was finally getting a wide release. But Ne Zha II is not an outlier of Chinese Animation; instead, it’s the best example of how animators in China have adapted Chinese mythology into Eastern fantasy stories.
The reason this matters is that American cinema and theaters have long devalued Chinese stories, due to our government’s deep sinophobia. But with Ne Zha II, audiences have the chance to see what many animation critics have known: animation is great from everywhere, and when it comes to 3D animation?
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Chinese animation studios are leading the way with gorgeous aesthetics and action approaches that use Chinese wuxia stunt work in the best way. So take time to explore the medium and what storytellers in China have to offer with these animated movies to watch after Ne Zha II.
Now, as you dive into this list, I’m not going to list Ne Zha, the first film from Chengdu Coco Cartoon, which Ne Zha II is a sequel to. I’m assuming you know to go watch that one. That said, Light Chaser Animation has done a lot of work in the Chinese animation scene and has made some of the most accessible films to watch in the United States through platforms like Netflix, so they dominate the list in terms of representation.
New Gods: Yang Jian
Animation Studio: Light Chaser Animation, Bilibili
Director(s): Ji Zhao
Writer(s): Mu Chuan
The film reimagines Chinese mythology starting thirteen years after Yang Jian imprisoned his sister beneath a mountain. Once a powerful god, Yang Jian now scrapes by as a penniless bounty hunter with only his crew, his ship, and the story of how he betrayed his family to uphold the law, the only things to his name.
But when a mysterious woman hires him for a new job, Yang Jian soon finds himself chasing down Chanxiang, a boy who seems as familiar as he is dangerous. He must stop Chenxiang as the boy tries to put the magical lotus lantern back together and free his mother, even if it will bring catastrophe.
From our critic: “Visually stunning, New Gods: Yang Jian effortlessly captures myth, beauty, and adventure. I can’t wait to see what Light Chaser has to offer next.”
Watch now on HBO MAX starting September 1, 2025.
Jiang Ziya
Animation Studio(s): Chengdu Coco Cartoon, Coloroom Pictures, Zhongchuan Hedao
Director(s): Cheng Teng, Li Wei
Writer(s): Xie Xiying
Atop the ruins of war, top commander JIANG ZIYA is given the task to banish the Nine-tailed Fox Demon who threatens all mortals’ very existence. When he discovers the Nine-tailed Fox’s life is linked to the soul of an innocent girl, he is faced with a challenging decision: follow the will of heaven or find his own path to righteousness.
Watch on Hi-Yah via Prime Video or Viki.
The Legend of Hei
Animation Studio(s): Hanmu Chunhua (HMCH) Animation
Director(s): MTJJ (Ping Zhang)
Writer(s): Based on The Legend of Luo Xiaohei by MTJJ
Xiaohei begins his wandering journey because his home was destroyed by humans. On a search for a new home, he encounters other monsters as well as human allies, some of whom share his dislike of humans. This leaves him with the dilemma of which side to choose.
Watch now on Video on Demand, with a sequel being distributed in the US by GKids Films.
New Gods: Nezha Reborn
Animation Studio(s): Light Chaser Animation Studios, Alibaba Pictures, Bona Film Group, Bilibili, Pop Mart
Director(s): Zhao Ji
Writer(s): Mu Chuan
Based on the character of Nezha from the Ming dynasty novel Investiture of the Gods. In the film, a steampunk and cyberpunk take on the story, Nezha is reincarnated as Li Yunxiang in the fictional city of Donghai (loosely based on 1920s Shanghai) and must settle a 3,000-year-old grudge with the Dragon Clan.
Watch now on Netflix.
Deep Sea
Animation Studio(s): October Media
Director(s): Tian Xiaopeng
Writer(s): Tian Xiaopeng
Swept into the sea during a family cruise, a young girl named Shenxiu stumbles upon a mysterious restaurant under the waves. There, she meets the scheming head chef and his ragtag crew of adorable otters and sarcastic walruses. They join forces to save the restaurant and reunite Shenxiu with her mother.
From our critic: “Deep Sea stands tall as a ravishing feat of animation brought to life by a never-before-seen technique. Tian Xiaopeng takes us on a dreamlike yet sometimes exhausting journey where the most beautiful of imagery, as well as important reflections on mental health, await us.”
Watch now on Video on Demand or on SHOUT! TV via Prime Video.
White Snake
Animation Studio(s): Light Chaser Animation Studios, Warner Bros. Far East
Director(s): Amp Wong, Zhao Ji
Writer(s): Damao
Loosely based on The Legend of White Snake, and the first of Light Chaser’s White Snake trilogy. The protagonist is a young adult white snake-demon, Blanca (Bai Suzhen), who has taken on the appearance of a lovely human woman. She loses her memories while on a mission to assassinate a Daoist sorcerer, and is saved by a snake hunter. The two eventually fall in love, which strongly displeases her younger sister, Verta (Xiaoqing), the green snake-demon.
Green Snake
Animation Studio(s): Light Chaser Animation, Alibaba Pictures, Tianjin Maoyan Weiying Culture Media, Bilibili
Director(s): Amp Wong
Writer(s): Damao
Loosely based on The Legend of White Snake, and the second of Light Chaser’s White Snake trilogy. Verta, the green snake-demon, must find a way to escape from the modern Shura City of mortals in order to rescue her elder sister, Blanca, the white snake, from the demon-slaying monk Fahai without her demonic abilities.
I Am What I Am
Animation Studio(s): Yi Animation
Director(s): Sun Haipeng
Writer(s): Li Zelin
Gyun, an 18-year-old boy, is inspired to pursue lion dancing after meeting a skilled dancer at a festival. He forms a team with his friends and trains under Qiang, a former lion dancer. Despite struggles, including his father’s accident and financial hardships, Gyun continues practicing while working in Guangzhou.
He rejoins his team just in time for a lion dancing tournament, where they compete against strong rivals. In the final round, Gyun attempts the impossible by aiming for the Sky Pillar, securing his team’s victory. The story ends with Gyun’s father waking from a coma, and Gyun embracing his future.
Watch now on Prime Video and Video on Demand.
Flavors of Youth
Animation Studio(s): Haoliners Animation League, CoMix Wave Films
Director(s): Li Haoling, Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing, Yoshitaka Takeuchi
Writer(s): Li Haoling, Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing, Yoshitaka Takeuchi
Three stories of youth from different cities in China: memories locked in a bowl of steaming noodles, a fading beauty discovering her way, and a bittersweet first love.
The Monkey King: Reborn
Animation Studio: Filmko Film
Director(s): Wang Yunfei
Writer(s): Wang Yunfei, Cheng’en Wu (based on novel by), Xiaoyu Wu
Many years after an imprisonment for offending all of Heaven, the trickster Monkey King is rescued from captivity by a monk. Only to make the mistake of destroying a sacred tree that trapped the original Demon King. When he re-emerges, the two are set on a collision course toward the ultimate battle.
Now the Monkey King and his fellow disciples have three days to free their master and re-seal the demon king, before he regains his full power and uses his armies to lay waste to the world. And realize that despite their demon nature, they were never truly alone.
Watch now on Prime Video, Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Video on Demand.
