The Fastest Kid To A Billion Dollars

The Chinese animated movie, Ni Zha 2 (a sequel to 2019’s Ni Zha), was released on January 29th 2025 — the first day of Chinese New Year.

As of today, just 3 weeks later, it has become the highest-grossing animated movie ever created, with a whopping $1.833 billion collected so far and counting. It is also the fastest animated movie to reach $1 billion in ticket sales (11 days).

Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (released in 2024) was the previous champion, grossing $1.699 billion during its entire run.

What’s even more amazing is that over 90% of Ni Zha 2’s earnings so far is from a single market.

China.

In the US, Ne Zha 2 was released on Feb 14th (Valentine’s Day) in a limited number of cinemas. It doesn’t yet have any release date for Europe.

It has English subtitles, so if you can still watch it, you should be able to follow along, even if you haven’t watched the first Ni Zha.

You must watch it in a cinema, and watch it in 3D, ideally in IMAX, for you to feel the full impact of this film that has the most beautiful visuals ever put on film.

Reviews for Ni Zha 2 have been overwhelmingly positive with both Chinese and non-Chinese viewers alike.

Both kids and adults will enjoy it, as it deals with identity, family, friendship, redemption, culture and destiny in a Chinese mythology setting that most western audiences have not been exposed to, and most domestic audiences have never seen in its modern form.

It is like a breath of fresh air for audiences that grew up with Spiderman, Thor or Batman.

Because of the universal appeal of its themes in a fresh setting and an extremely likeable kid as the main character with an equally amazing cast of supporting characters, there is no doubt that this film will do extremely well in some of the other countries once released there with the right marketing campaigns.

NOTE: Ni Zha 2 runs for 2 hours and 23 minutes. But you’ll likely be glued to your seat the entire time, so do what you need to do before you go in.

Here’s the trailer, which doesn’t quite do justice as to how good the movie is, because there’s just so much more than what you can see:

The 10x Lessons

And here are the 10x lessons from this movie that will apply to employees, entrepreneurs and investors who want to 10x their results:

1. Diamonds In Your Own Backyard

Ne Zha 2 succeeded because it embraced its unique cultural background while delivering a story with universal appeal.

The film used Chinese mythology, which was deeply familiar to its domestic audience, but told it with modern storytelling techniques, making it engaging for a broader audience.

For Employees

• Identify what makes you unique — your background, skills, and personal experiences.

• Use your strengths to bring fresh ideas to your workplace.

• Instead of following trends blindly, innovate based on what sets you apart.

For Entrepreneurs

• Build products or services from your own experiences and insights.

• Competing with established giants is difficult if you copy their playbook. Instead, create something unique and offer it to your market with a fresh twist.

• Find ways to tell familiar stories in new ways, just as Ne Zha 2 modernised a classic legend.

For Investors

• Invest in industries or markets where you have personal insights or expertise that may be different from many other investors.

• Look for opportunities that others may overlook.

• Emerging markets or niche sectors often provide higher returns if approached with enough knowledge and the right strategies.

• Companies that differentiate themselves with a unique angle tend to have a stronger competitive edge.

2. Work with the Best Talents

Creating Ne Zha 2 required a massive collaborative effort. The production team assembled over 4,000 professionals from multiple animation studios, each bringing specialised expertise to different aspects of the film.

This level of coordination ensured that every detail — from character design to fluid animation and visual effects — met the highest industry standards.

Instead of relying on a single studio, the filmmakers tapped into a network of top-tier talent, recognising that world-class results require the right people in the right roles.

By working with some of the best animators, scriptwriters, sound designers, and visual effects artists, the production was able to push technical and artistic boundaries.

The film’s success is about alignment in vision, maintaining strong communication, and leveraging the strengths of every contributor.

For Employees

• Surround yourself with colleagues who challenge you to be better.

• Seek mentors who can accelerate your learning.

• Build a network of talented professionals who can support your career growth.

• There is no substitute for hard work to advance your career.

For Entrepreneurs

• Hire experts who are the best at what they do, even if it means paying more, because you will have better quality outputs from them.

• Don’t micromanage — trust professionals to execute their roles effectively.

• A great team can take an idea from good to world-class.

For Investors

• Invest in companies that attract top-tier leadership and talent.

• Look at management teams and their track records before committing capital.

• A company's ability to hire and retain skilled professionals is a key indicator of long-term success.

3. Set High Standards

Ne Zha 2’s team took six years to develop it, ensuring every detail, from animation quality to storytelling, met the highest standards.

Instead of cutting corners to release the movie faster, the creators focused on refining the script, perfecting the visuals, and enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

The film’s meticulous approach extended to its animation techniques. The team invested in advanced CGI, fluid character movements, and intricate background designs that could rival Hollywood’s best.

They also worked with some of the top talents in the industry, ensuring that voice acting, sound design, and visual effects all aligned to deliver a world-class production.

(Sidenote: The voice actor for Ni Zha is a woman, who did an excellent job conveying the kid’s emotions that moved us from despair, grief, pity, anger, righteousness and more.)

Rather than settling for a film that was simply "good enough" for the domestic market, Ne Zha 2 was designed with the ambition of competing on a global scale. The creators recognised that success in animation is about creating a product that would leave a lasting impact.

For Employees

• Treat every task as an opportunity to showcase excellence.

• Don’t settle for ‘good enough’ — constantly refine and improve your work.

• Develop a reputation as someone who delivers high-quality results consistently.

For Entrepreneurs

• Customers notice quality, and word-of-mouth is powerful.

• Cutting corners might save some money initially but can lead to long-term failures.

• If your product stands out for its excellence, it becomes easier to market and sell.

For Investors

• Invest in companies that prioritise quality over short-term profits.

• Businesses that rush products to market often face backlash, while those that refine and perfect their offerings build strong, sustainable brands.

• Avoid companies that cut corners or compromise on quality.

• Look for investments in sectors where high-quality products create long-term customer loyalty and pricing power.

4. Believe in Yourself

The creators of Ne Zha 2 stayed committed to their vision, focusing on delivering a high-quality film that could compete with the best Hollywood has to offer.

Instead of following the latter’s established animation formulas, they doubled down on their own storytelling style, cultural roots, and artistic direction.

Ne Zha 2’s success proves that trusting your abilities, even when venturing into uncharted territory, can lead to extraordinary results.

For Employees

• Trust your abilities and take ownership of your work.

• Speak up when you have valuable input, even if others doubt you.

• Confidence in your skills leads to more opportunities.

For Entrepreneurs

• Every groundbreaking idea faces resistance at first. Push forward regardless.

• If you don’t believe in your product, no one else will.

• Persistence in the face of challenges often separates successful businesses from failures.

For Investors

• Develop confidence in your investment strategy based on research and fundamentals.

• Markets are often driven by fear and hype, but solid investments require conviction.

• When investing in disruptive technologies or new markets, expect resistance but focus on long-term potential.

• Trust your research and avoid panic-selling during market downturns.

5. Learn from Setbacks and Keep Improving

Historically, Chinese animation has faced criticism for lacking originality and quality, often due to formulaic plots and stereotypical characters. This perception led to cultural anxiety within the industry.

In response, Ne Zha 2’s team dedicated themselves to overcoming these challenges.

Director Yang Yu, known as "Jiaozi," emphasised the importance of Chinese animators asserting their capabilities. He highlighted difficulties in collaborating with international visual effects teams, citing "arrogance and prejudice."

Consequently, he chose to work with domestic teams, leading to significant technical and creative advancements in the film.

For Employees

• View failures as learning experiences, not as personal defeats.

• Seek feedback and use it to grow.

• Adapt to new challenges instead of fearing them.

For Entrepreneurs

• The first version of your product or service might not be perfect. Keep refining.

• Listen to customer feedback and use it to make meaningful improvements.

• Resilience and adaptability are key to long-term success.

For Investors

• Losses are part of investing. Use them as learning experiences rather than emotional setbacks.

• Analyse past investment mistakes to refine your strategy and avoid repeating errors.

• Companies that learn from failure and pivot effectively often emerge stronger.

• Watch for firms that continuously iterate and improve, rather than those stuck in outdated models.

6. Stay Ahead of Market Trends

Ne Zha 2’s team recognised that audiences in China were becoming increasingly interested in high-quality domestic animation. Over the past decade, Chinese viewers had grown more supportive of homegrown productions, especially those that blended cultural heritage with modern storytelling and advanced animation techniques.

This shift created an opportunity for Ne Zha 2 to tap into national pride while delivering a world-class visual and cinematic experience.

Beyond simply producing a sequel, the creators carefully studied audience preferences, market conditions, and competition. They timed the release strategically to avoid direct clashes with major Hollywood blockbusters while ensuring it launched during a peak moviegoing season.

This decision maximised its box office potential and gave it room to dominate domestic charts before facing international competition.

For Employees

• Keep learning new skills to stay relevant in your industry.

• Stay informed about market shifts and adjust your career strategy accordingly.

• Those who anticipate changes and adapt will always have an advantage.

For Entrepreneurs

• Observe market trends and act before your competitors do.

• Identify growing industries and position yourself as a leader.

• Timing can make the difference between a hit and a missed opportunity.

For Investors

• Identify market trends before they become mainstream.

• Investing in early-stage trends like AI, blockchain, or renewable energy can yield high returns.

• Stay informed about global economic shifts and industry movements.

• Companies that position themselves ahead of consumer preferences tend to outperform the market.

7. Build a Strong Brand Identity

The film’s branding was intentional, designed to resonate deeply with audiences while positioning Chinese animation as a legitimate competitor to Hollywood.

From its visual identity to its marketing strategy, every element reinforced the film’s unique cultural and artistic presence. The character designs and animation style were distinctly rooted in Chinese mythology, yet modernised to appeal to younger generations.

Its marketing campaigns leveraged strong nationalistic sentiments, promoting the film as a proud representation of Chinese creativity and storytelling.

Beyond the film itself, Ne Zha 2 became part of a broader movement to improve domestic animation standards. Merchandising, partnerships, and fan engagement helped solidify its place in pop culture.

For Employees

• Develop a personal brand that showcases your expertise and reliability.

• Be consistent in how you present yourself professionally.

• A strong reputation opens more doors for career growth.

For Entrepreneurs

• Your business should stand for something clear and recognisable.

• Branding is about the emotions and trust you create with customers.

• A strong identity makes marketing easier and builds customer loyalty.

For Investors

• Companies with strong brand equity tend to withstand economic downturns better.

• Recognisable brands like Apple and Disney maintain pricing power and consumer loyalty.

• Invest in businesses that are not just selling products but building a long-term identity.

• Consider intangible factors like customer trust, brand recognition, and cultural impact when evaluating stocks.

There’s a lot more to tell, but this issue is already getting too long, so I’ll stop here for now.

In the meantime, go watch the movie if you haven’t already. I think you’ll love it.

Cheers!

P.S. If you find this useful, do share it with the people you care about.

NOTE:

The 10x Factors for investors’s content is educational in nature, with examples used to illustrate the learning points. We are not financial advisors and do not provide financial advice. Please speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Note that every investment comes with its own risks and drawbacks. Past results cannot guarantee future returns. Do not invest with money you cannot afford to lose.

This content may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only promote companies that we have personally used or researched and believe will add value to our readers.