Entertainment
China’s Box Office Is Exploding Again… and Animation Is the Secret Weapon No One Saw Coming
At CineAsia 2025, China’s film industry re-emerges with confidence as animated mega-hits like Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2 rewrite global records and fuel a new era of international collaboration.
At this year’s CineAsia gathering in Bangkok, delegates from China’s film industry arrived with something that had been missing for several years: momentum. After pandemic-era uncertainty, market fluctuations, and shifting global dynamics, China’s box office is not only recovering — it is expanding at a staggering pace.
The centerpiece of this rise is one surprising engine: animation. Not just domestic animation, but a harmonious blend of local and Hollywood-created blockbusters that are reshaping the global theatrical landscape.
Zootopia 2 Smashes Records, Signals a New Era
The past several weeks in China have been dominated by one headline: the astonishing performance of Zootopia 2, produced by Disney. The animated sequel has already amassed around $430 million in China alone, making it one of the most successful non-local animated films ever released in the country.
Its continued momentum arrives at a pivotal time: China’s 2025 box office surpassed last year’s $5.8 billion total as early as October, with internal projections expecting the final number to land far higher. With Avatar: Fire and Ash — from filmmaker James Cameron — releasing on December 19, analysts predict a record-breaking year.
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But the real driving force of China’s box office surge began months earlier.
Ne Zha 2 Becomes the Highest-Grossing Animated Film in History
January changed everything.
Beijing Enlight Media’s monumental hit Ne Zha 2 didn’t just break records — it shattered them. With more than $2 billion in global revenue, it is now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing long-standing Hollywood giants.
Ne Zha 2’s success isn’t an isolated phenomenon. It reflects:
- The rise of Chinese mythology-driven storytelling
- Major advances in domestic animation technology
- A rapidly growing appetite for culturally rooted narratives
Together, these factors have created a domestic animation boom that shows no signs of slowing.
Other Local Hits Strengthen the Animation Wave
China’s animation surge is not limited to one studio or one style. Several major titles have contributed to a historic year:
- Shanghai Animation Film Studio’s Nobody — $215 million
- Light Chaser Animation’s Curious Tales of a Temple — $30 million
While numbers vary, the collective impact is undeniable: animation has become China’s most reliable and globally competitive theatrical category.
And at CineAsia, this newfound dominance was impossible to ignore.
The China Film Pavilion Takes Center Stage at CineAsia
This year’s China Film Pavilion became one of the most energizing spaces at CineAsia. Studio executives, distributors, and industry strategists showcased the nation’s growing film pipeline, emphasizing:
- International co-production opportunities
- Cross-market distribution partnerships
- The expanding role of animation in diplomatic storytelling
- Investment potential for global studios seeking Asian audiences
Where hesitation once existed, confidence now takes the lead.
International Partnerships Are Shifting — Fast
China’s animation boom has caught the attention of major studios around the world. Companies like Disney are witnessing their titles outperform expectations, while Chinese animation houses are silently becoming global players.

The implications are far-reaching:
- U.S. studios see China as a primary market rather than a supplemental one
- Chinese studios are becoming competitive exporters of international-quality animation
- Streaming platforms are racing to secure rights to hit films for global audiences
- Co-production deals between Asia and Hollywood are accelerating
This marks a new era of cinematic synergy, one built not just on market size but on creative parity.
A Holiday Slate That Could Redefine 2025
With Zootopia 2 still performing strongly and Avatar: Fire and Ash set for a massive debut, China’s year-end box office looks historic. Industry analysts predict:
- Record-breaking December ticket sales
- Higher international attention on Chinese premieres
- Increased confidence in theatrical releases amid the streaming era
Curiosity now shifts to 2026 — a year that may see China challenge, or even surpass, North America in total box office revenue.
Animation Isn’t Just a Trend — It’s China’s New Cultural Power
What becomes clear from CineAsia is that China’s box office comeback is not reliant on live-action tentpoles, franchise reboots, or Hollywood nostalgia. It is being driven by something far more organic and sustainable:
A generation of audiences hungry for vibrant, emotionally rich, visually stunning animated stories.
These films are carrying cultural pride, global cooperation, and commercial success all at once.
And as Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2 have shown — animation is not merely entertainment.
It’s becoming China’s most influential cultural export.
Entertainment
Avengers Doomsday trailers plan leaks… Steve Rogers returns, Thor rises and Robert Downey Jr’s Doom held back for shock reveal
New rumours suggest Marvel will roll out multiple character-focused teasers before the first full Avengers film in six years hits cinemas
Marvel fans may finally be on the brink of a long-awaited moment. After more than six years without a full-fledged Avengers movie, fresh rumours suggest Marvel Studios is preparing an ambitious, multi-stage trailer rollout for Avengers: Doomsday — and it starts with some of the most iconic faces in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to industry chatter circulating ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash, insiders claim that Avengers: Doomsday will debut not with one teaser, but multiple character-driven trailers, each designed to slowly rebuild hype for the franchise’s next era.
(Marvel Studios )
(Avengers: Doomsday – Marvel Wiki)
Teaser 1: Steve Rogers’ quiet return
The first teaser is reportedly centred on Steve Rogers, portrayed once again by Chris Evans. Sources suggest the teaser follows Rogers riding a motorcycle along a lonely road before arriving “home” — a reveal that subtly confirms his return in Doomsday.
If true, it would mark Evans’ first on-screen Avengers appearance since Endgame, instantly reigniting speculation about timelines, variants, or multiversal consequences.
(Chris Evans )
(Steve Rogers)
Teaser 2: Thor steps back into the spotlight
The second teaser reportedly focuses on Thor Odinson, played by Chris Hemsworth. While details remain scarce, the very existence of a Thor-only teaser strongly suggests the God of Thunder will play a major role in the film’s central conflict.
Given Thor’s cosmic journey across recent MCU phases, fans believe this teaser could bridge the gap between galactic threats and the looming catastrophe implied by the title Doomsday.
(Chris Hemsworth)
(Thor)
Teaser 3: Victor von Doom — saved for last
Perhaps the most intriguing rumour concerns Victor von Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in a stunning MCU reinvention. Insiders claim Marvel is deliberately holding back Doom’s teaser to maximise shock value and discussion.
Downey Jr.’s return — not as Iron Man, but as one of Marvel’s most iconic villains — is reportedly being treated as the crown jewel of the marketing campaign.
(Robert Downey Jr.)
(Doctor Doom)
Teaser 4: The first real look at Doomsday
The final teaser — potentially attached to Avatar: Fire and Ash — may actually function as the first full trailer. While unconfirmed, an alleged audio description paints an ominous yet hopeful tone.

The creative minds behind the chaos
Avengers: Doomsday is directed by the Russo Brothers, the duo behind Infinity War and Endgame, instantly boosting fan confidence in the project’s scale and emotional weight.
The film’s reported cast includes:
- Chris Evans as Steve Rogers
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor Odinson
- Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom
Marvel has not officially confirmed these trailer details, but the structured rollout — if real — reflects a studio keenly aware of how much anticipation surrounds its next Avengers chapter.
Release date and what comes next
Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated for a December 17, 2026 theatrical release. With the MCU entering a new phase, Marvel appears ready to carefully reintroduce its icons — one teaser at a time.
If even half of these rumours prove true, the road to Doomsday won’t just be about spectacle — it will be about restoring the emotional core that once made Avengers movies cultural events.
For more Update – DAILYGLOBALDIARY
Entertainment
Rachael Carpani dies at 45: McLeod’s Daughters star who “never wanted fame” leaves behind a powerful legacy
From Jodi Fountain to her final Home and Away role, tributes pour in as colleagues reveal the woman behind the spotlight
The Australian television industry is mourning the sudden loss of Rachael Carpani, the much-loved actor best known for her roles in McLeod’s Daughters and Home and Away, who has died aged 45.
In a statement shared by her sister on Instagram, Carpani’s parents confirmed that she passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” in the early hours of 7 December, following a long battle with chronic illness. The family did not disclose the exact cause of death and has requested privacy.
For a generation of viewers, Rachael Carpani will forever be remembered as Jodi Fountain, the wide-eyed teenager who grew up before audiences on the iconic Australian drama McLeod’s Daughters. Her performance earned her two Logie Award nominations, including a coveted Gold Logie nod in 2007, and cemented her place in Australian television history.
(McLeod’s Daughters )
Tributes from the McLeod’s family
As news of her death broke, tributes flooded social media from former co-stars and friends. Bridie Carter, who played Tess McLeod on the series, described Carpani as “the baby of the MD family” in an emotional Instagram post.
“This is the wrong order of things,” Carter wrote. “We are better people for having the privilege of sharing time with you.”
Actor Matt Passmore, who worked with Carpani on McLeod’s Daughters and later the US series Against the Wall, called her friendship “the greatest gift.”
(Matt Passmore )

A star who resisted fame
Despite her success, Carpani was famously uncomfortable with celebrity. In a 2024 interview with Stellar magazine, she revealed that she once asked her agent to send her to “the acting equivalent of Siberia” to escape the pressures of fame.
“I don’t want to be famous,” she said. “Earning a living would be nice. I adore ‘action’ to ‘cut’, but everything else – the networking, the hobnobbing – I just don’t want any of it.”
True to her word, Carpani moved to Hollywood, where she was largely unknown, rebuilding her career from the ground up. She appeared in series such as NCIS: Los Angeles and The Glades, before landing the lead role in the legal drama Against the Wall. She later shared the screen with Ben Affleck in the 2020 basketball drama Finding the Way Back.
(Ben Affleck )
Her final chapter: Home and Away
In 2024, Carpani returned to Australia and joined Home and Away as mysterious newcomer Claudia Salini. Speaking at the time, she described the role as one of the happiest periods of her career.
“It was one of the most enjoyable times I’ve ever had on set,” she said. “A really lovely way to re-enter the industry.”
(Home and Away )
Unbeknown to fans, it would be her final on-screen performance.
A fearless voice on women’s health
Beyond acting, Carpani was a vocal advocate for women’s health. She spoke openly about her long struggle with endometriosis and adenomyosis, conditions that caused her chronic pain from her teenage years. Diagnosed only in her mid-30s, she criticised what she described as Australia’s failure to take women’s pain seriously.
“We are woefully behind when it comes to women’s health,” she once said.
Her advocacy resonated deeply with followers, many of whom credited her honesty with encouraging them to seek medical help.
More than an actor
On social media, Carpani also used her platform to speak out on domestic violence, the #MeToo movement, Indigenous rights, and the war in Gaza—never shying away from difficult conversations.
Her parents confirmed that a private funeral will be held on 19 December, adding: “The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.”
Rachael Carpani may never have chased fame, but her work, her courage, and her voice ensured she will not be forgotten. For fans, colleagues, and countless women who saw themselves reflected in her honesty, her absence will be deeply felt.
For more Update – DAILYGLOBALDIARY
Entertainment
Hollywood’s Strangest New Trend? Fans Say KJ Apa Kevin James and Timothée Chalamet Are Secretly Living Double Lives Online…
From TikTok teachers to viral rappers, a wave of alleged celebrity alter egos has the internet asking: is this creative freedom or a sign of something deeper?
Hollywood stars have always loved reinvention. New accents, new bodies, new personas for every role. But now, a growing number of fans believe some actors are taking that transformation off-screen — and straight onto social media.
Across TikTok, whispers are growing louder: are famous actors secretly running viral accounts under fake names, pretending to be everyday people? The theories may sound absurd at first, but once you fall down the rabbit hole, it’s hard to look away.
Fans are convinced that stars like KJ Apa, Kevin James, and Timothée Chalamet are behind some of the platform’s most bizarre and beloved online personas — including Mr. Fantasy, Mr. Taylor, and rapper EsDeeKid.
Is this just internet imagination at work, or has Hollywood found a new playground?
Let’s start with the most oddly wholesome case.
One of TikTok’s most recognizable faces right now is Mr. Taylor, an elementary school art teacher who greets his audience with the same line every time:
“Hey guys! Mr. Taylor here.”
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With over 800,000 followers, the account features motivational pep talks, gentle life advice, and surprisingly impressive artwork. On the surface, it’s harmless and calming — exactly the kind of content people crave during uncertain times.
But fans can’t stop pointing out the similarities between Mr. Taylor and Kevin James — best known for Paul Blart: Mall Cop and The King of Queens. The facial expressions. The voice. The timing. The comedic warmth.
Some commenters joke that this is “Paul Blart after early retirement.” Others insist it’s James experimenting with a quieter, more sincere persona far removed from Hollywood expectations.
Kevin James himself hasn’t confirmed or denied anything — which, of course, only fuels the speculation.
Then there’s EsDeeKid, a low-fi rapper whose laid-back delivery and chaotic energy have caught the attention of Gen Z users. Fans swear the cadence, humor, and facial structure match none other than Timothée Chalamet, the Oscar-nominated star of Dune and Call Me by Your Name.
Chalamet, known for his unpredictable red carpet moments and internet-savvy charm, has long been considered “chronically online adjacent.” To his fans, the idea that he’d secretly experiment with a rap alter ego feels… plausible.
And finally, Mr. Fantasy — a mysterious persona many believe is tied to KJ Apa, the Riverdale actor who has quietly stepped back from the nonstop spotlight in recent years. The theory suggests Mr. Fantasy allows Apa to create without the baggage of fandom expectations or studio pressure.

So why now?
Some argue this trend is a creative rebellion — actors escaping brand deals, box office pressure, and constant scrutiny by starting fresh as nobodies online. Others wonder if it’s a subtle response to a slowing entertainment industry, where traditional stardom no longer guarantees relevance.
There’s also something deeply human at play.
Social media offers anonymity, immediacy, and control — three things celebrities rarely have. Creating an alter ego means freedom. No press tours. No critics. No legacy to protect.
As platforms like TikTok blur the line between celebrity and everyday life, these alleged secret accounts reflect a larger cultural shift: fame is no longer about being known by everyone — it’s about being believed by someone.
Whether these theories are true or just another example of the internet entertaining itself, one thing is clear: audiences are fascinated by the idea that their favorite stars might be hiding in plain sight.
And maybe that’s the real fantasy — not that Hollywood has gone insane, but that even the most famous people still want to log on and pretend to be normal.
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