Neither year is official. The latest Ne Zha 3 news is certainly telling, and we’ll have to be patient. When Ne Zha 2 (movie review) smashed many box office records and left viewers with that doozy of a cliffhanger regarding Monk Wuliang’s fate and meeting with others of his sect, just what’s going to happen next won’t be inspired by any of the classical books of Chinese Literature! What’s presented is wild, and the wait will be long so creator Yang Yu (professionally known as Jiaozi) can craft a story that’s meaningful and action packed.
On Ne Zha 3’s Douban page, the potential year of release changed from 2028 to 2030 in February 2025. It was subsequently changed back to 2028. Since the Chinese answer ot the INDB can contain provisional information, neither alteration represented an announcement from the production company.
During the 38th Hundred Flowers Awards on August 10, 2026. Ne Zha 2, officially titled Ne Zha: The Demon Child Rages at the Sea, became the first animated feature in the award’s 62-year history to win Best Picture. Jiaozi was not present, and while accepting the award, Enlight Media chairman Wang Changtian joked that Jiaozi remained secluded in “Chentang Pass” and refused to come out. More importantly, his remark confirms that the filmmaker is still concentrating on his next creative project.
Back in May 2025, the Enlight Media chairman told China Movie Channel that the company expected Ne Zha 3 to require approximately five years. He said, “The film is too complex, and it stands on the foundation of Ne Zha 2, so the standard will be higher.”
And this is not a release date either. Production will be long to craft the storyboards, create the background art and other details. Some assets are locked in digital storage, but other artists bits not. Also, Jiaozi said that he does not impose strict deadlines on his work.
Not everyone knows the first Ne Zha took close to five years to complete. Its sequel took another five and a half years, with more than 4,000 people contributing to its production. At this point, Ne Zha 3 isn’t likely to be made and released until 2030 or afterwards. What has been confirmed is that the project is moving forward and Jiaozi is “brainstorming.” He simply has no interest in rushing a piece of art into theatres before the next adventure is ready.
Considering the six-year gap between the first two movies, perhaps we should expect Ne Zha to come up with new ways to cause chaos that makes both Heaven and Hell worried!
Ne Zha 2 Trailer
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