A Chinese animated film made by hand, Niu Lai, has passed 63 million yuan at the box office, according to figures reported by Sina Finance and Driven Home. The film's release was postponed, and that delay became the subject of online argument, sohu.com reports. Discussion around the movie has focused on how its unpolished animation style turned into what sohu.com describes as a form of social currency.
Coverage of the film has centered on its unusual production background. Driven Home reports that the movie was hand-made and that a mother and son pair behind it have now reached basic financial freedom. Sina Finance framed the film's earnings around the value of internet sentiment, asking how much online feeling is worth in box office terms.
The film's director has confirmed a follow-up is on the way. According to Lianhe Zaobao, the director said the sequel will arrive next year. Sohu.com has already published a piece predicting that Niu Lai 2 could beat Ne Zha 2 and set a record for a sequel doubling its predecessor's box office, though that remains a projection rather than a confirmed result.
The numbers reported so far come from Chinese outlets covering the film's run, and no independent verification of the box office total is included in the available material. What happens with the sequel, and whether its reception matches the attention the first film received, is the next point to watch.