“Captain America 4 must die in China”: ‘Ne Zha 2’ Fans Are Gloating Over the Lacklustre MCU Performance at China’s Box Office

‘Ne Zha 2’ has taken the world by storm, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The Chinese movie, which follows the journey of a mythical boy fighting demons, has earned an astonishing 12.3 billion yuan ($1.7 billion). Its success has sparked widespread national pride across China.

As excitement over the film grows, so does a wave of criticism aimed at those who don’t support it. Some online users have accused critics of being attention-seekers or even being paid to undermine the film.

This heated discussion has also dragged in ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ the fourth installment in the superhero franchise, which many now see as Ne Zha 2’s competitor.

One phrase that has gained traction on Chinese social media sums up this rivalry: “I don’t care if Ne Zha 2 can survive overseas, but Captain America 4 must die in China.” Many online discussions have focused on how poorly the Marvel film is performing in Chinese theaters. While it has made $92 million internationally, only $10.6 million has come from China—Hollywood’s biggest overseas market.

A widely shared essay online bluntly states: “It’s not Captain America that’s dying, but America that’s dying.” The post argues that the U.S. lacks real superheroes and is not the peace-loving nation it claims to be. In some cases, this sentiment has influenced business decisions. A cinema in Sichuan province reportedly chose not to screen ‘Captain America 4’ to show full support for ‘Ne Zha 2.’

At the same time, there is frustration among some Chinese audiences that ‘Ne Zha 2’ has not received enough screenings in North America. Some have accused American theaters of favoring other films instead of giving the Chinese animation a fair chance.

Released on January 29, ‘Ne Zha 2’ entered theaters during the Lunar New Year holiday, a prime time for moviegoers. The film’s box office performance has been remarkable, crossing the $1 billion mark in less than two weeks, despite China’s sluggish economy. Many see its success as a major step forward for the Chinese film industry, proving that homegrown productions can compete with Hollywood blockbusters.

This isn’t the first time a domestic film has dominated the Chinese box office. Patriotic action films like ‘The Battle of Lake Changjin,’ a 2021 war movie about the Korean War, have previously held the top spot. However, unlike Hollywood movies that make their earnings from multiple international markets, ‘Ne Zha 2’ has made more than 99% of its revenue in China.

As the film’s popularity soars, it has become a symbol of patriotism. Social media is filled with people boasting about seeing it multiple times, and those who haven’t watched it are sometimes criticized. One user on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, shared, “A friend told me I was not patriotic just because I did not watch Ne Zha 2.”

Not everyone, however, is a fan. Some viewers have pointed out flaws in the story, humor, and even what they describe as outdated gender portrayals. But those who voice criticism online often face an immediate backlash. Comments like “People like that are either clout-chasing, or are being paid” appear frequently on Xiaohongshu, China’s Instagram-like platform.

A social media user who criticized the movie told the BBC that online insults like these aren’t new, but the intense reaction surrounding ‘Ne Zha 2’ feels different. The film’s success has made it a symbol of national pride, and some fans see any negative comment as an attack on China’s film industry.

“Everyone beware, there’s currently a wave of haters swarming Ne Zha 2 with criticism online,” one Xiaohongshu user wrote, claiming that jealous individuals from both foreign and domestic film industries were behind the backlash. Another post stated, “With such a great movie, people are using their feet to vote. So they are turning to panic and slander. How despicable!”

Despite the online battles, ‘Ne Zha 2’ has introduced Chinese mythology to audiences worldwide. Many praise its script, animation, and special effects. However, some in China worry about how the film has become so deeply tied to nationalism.

“Ne Zha 2 has become a cultural phenomenon, but I don’t think this is entirely a good thing,” reads one post on Xiaohongshu. The user expressed concerns about how discussions surrounding the movie have turned into a black-and-white debate, where any criticism is seen as unpatriotic, and rival films are condemned without real analysis.

This intense divide highlights how entertainment and politics are becoming increasingly intertwined in China’s film industry.

What do you think about Ne Zha 2’s impact? Share your thoughts in the comments below!