Cao Xiaohui, vice-president of the animation institute at the Beijing Film Academy, says the success of Ne Zha shows that animated films inspired by Chinese mythology are a new trend.

"In the past few years, most influential Chinese animated films were inspired by our own culture, such as Monkey King: Hero is Back, Big Fish & Begonia and White Snake. Chinese theatergoers are more receptive to seeing such familiar stories being brought to life on the big screen," says Cao.

According to the distributors of Ne Zha, the film will have English subtitles for overseas markets.