Archive · 21 Aug 2026
How Badly Animated Chinese Film Became an Internet Sensation
Niu Lai is a Chinese cartoon movie about a young calf who wants to become a warrior.
The movie was made with very little money and simple equipment.
Many people laughed at its unusual pictures and confusing story.
People posted short clips from cinemas on social media.
Those clips made more people curious about the movie.
Some viewers now attend screenings mainly to laugh and share the experience.
Others think the film shows that audiences can choose what they enjoy.
The movie earned much more money after becoming an internet meme.
Its success does not necessarily mean other poorly made films will become popular too.
Niu Lai, released in China on 5 August, follows a young calf seeking to become a warrior.
Its low-budget animation, including spring-like snakes and labelled blocks of grass, was widely mocked online.
After earning just over 7,000 yuan in its first 10 days, the film gained attention through cinema clips shared on social media.
The film had earned more than 21 million yuan by 18 August, while Maoyan forecast a final total of 135 million yuan.
Director Xin Yumeng and screenwriter Sun Lifang said the film was a family story shaped by limited money and equipment.
- Who
- Niu Lai was made by director Xin Yumeng and screenwriter Sun Lifang, and attracted Chinese audiences.
- What
- A low-budget animated film became a major box-office and internet-meme success despite widespread criticism of its graphics and story.
- When
- The film was released on 5 August; it had earned more than 21 million yuan by 18 August.
- Where
- The film was released and screened in China, with clips shared on Chinese social media.
- Why
- Online attention to its unusual animation and story encouraged audiences to watch it, turning screenings into a shared social experience.
Critics
Supporters
Rewarding quality
Critics
Buying tickets may reward poor-quality filmmaking and encourage weak production standards.
Supporters
Audiences are free to decide what deserves their money, regardless of conventional production quality.
Meaning of the popularity
Critics
The film's success may be driven mainly by mockery, memes and social events rather than appreciation of the movie itself.
Supporters
Its popularity shows that audiences can value handmade, simple or absurd work, particularly amid reactions against computer-generated content.
Future impact
Critics
Other filmmakers should not assume that copying Niu Lai's poor animation will produce similar success.
Supporters
The film demonstrates that online conversation and audience participation can give unconventional projects a substantial audience.
- Film
- Niu Lai, also known as The Arrival of the Ox
- Release date
- 5 August
- Initial earnings
- Just over 7,000 yuan, about US$1,000, in the first 10 days
- Earnings by 18 August
- More than 21 million yuan, about US$2.9 million
- Projected final box office
- 135 million yuan, according to Maoyan Professional's forecast
- Production
- Made over five years by Xin Yumeng and Sun Lifang
- Audience reaction
- Some viewers treat screenings like comedy shows, while others view them as a shared social activity