National Pride Sparks Debate: Should Captain America Die in China?
Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated film featuring a mythic boy battling demons using his magical powers, has become the world’s highest-grossing animated movie. With box office earnings of over 12.3 billion yuan ($1.7bn; 1.4bn), it has sparked immense national pride in China.
However, while patriotic Ne Zha 2 fans celebrate its success, they also closely monitor critics of the film, accusing them of being paid “haters” seeking clout and attention. This nationalist fervor extends to Captain America: Brave New World, which is seen as a rival for Chinese audiences.
A popular slogan circulating on social media declares: “I don’t care if Ne Zha 2 can survive overseas, but Captain America 4 must die in China.” While Marvel’s film has grossed $92 million worldwide, only $10.6m of that comes from the Chinese market C Hollywoods largest overseas market.
An essay on an online forum titled “It’s not Captain America that’s dying, but America that’s dying” argues against the American superhero franchise. The author contends: “In reality, the US does not have superheroes and is not a peace-loving, peace-defending beacon for humanity.” Some cinemas in Sichuan province reportedly delayed screenings of Captain America 4 to support Ne Zha 2.
Despite its global premiere outside China earlier this month, some critics argue that Ne Zha 2 didn’t receive enough screenings in North American theaters. They also accuse foreign cinemas of favoring other movies over the Chinese film. The movie’s release on January 29 coincided with a surge in cinema attendance during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Ne Zha 2 quickly surpassed $1 billion at the box office within two weeks, an impressive feat considering Chinas sluggish economy. It has been hailed as a symbol of progress for Chinese animation and proof that domestically produced films are competing globally. Traditionally dominated by Hollywood in its box office earnings, more than 99% of Ne Zha 2’s revenue comes from the domestic market.
On social media platforms like Douyin (Chinas TikTok), people share their enthusiasm for watching Ne Zha 2 multiple times and accuse those who haven’t seen it of lacking patriotism. While positive reviews dominate, criticisms regarding plot continuity, awkward humor, and anti-feminist undertones have also surfaced.
These critiques are often met with defensive comments on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu (Chinas Instagram-like app). Critics argue that premeditated negative feedback comes from jealous individuals in both domestic and foreign film industries. Some feel this reaction reflects poorly on the cultural environment, where dismissing plot flaws is equated to being unpatriotic.
While Ne Zha 2’s success has introduced Chinese mythological characters to global audiences and praised for its script, special effects, and animation quality, it also highlights growing concerns about political significance in popular culture. As a result of this cultural phenomenon, some worry that discussions are dominated by nationalistic sentiment rather than meaningful discourse.
