The animated fantasy Nezha 2 has become China's highest grossing film after earning 5.78 billion yuan (HK$6.17 billion) at the box office in the first nine days of its release.

Launched across the mainland on January 29, the first day of the Lunar New Year, the movie has now surpassed the box office record of 5.77 billion yuan held by The Battle at Lake Changjin, a 2021 epic about the Korean War, according to online ticketing platform Maoyan.

Nezha 2, about a mythical boy with magical powers and incredible martial arts skills, is projected to reach a total box office of 8.5 billion yuan, with the film's producers earning approximately 3 billion yuan in revenue, according to box office data platforms.

Commenting on plans for another Nezha movie, director Jiaozi said a third film would have to present something audiences have never seen before, according to mainland media reports.