2 weeks ago
Niu Lai Becomes Internet Cult Meme and Box-Office Surprise
Niu Lai is a Chinese cartoon movie about cows.
Before it came out, almost nobody talked about it.
People online began sharing clips because the cows looked unusually and humorously designed.
Instead of ignoring the movie, internet users made many memes about it.
Some memes compared watching it with watching a Christopher Nolan film.
Others changed the Lamborghini logo or referenced The Wolf of Wall Street.
One joke showed someone proposing during the movie.
The film became so popular online that cinemas added more showings.
Niu Lai, a low-budget Chinese animated film, received little publicity before its release earlier this month.
Clips of two crudely designed cows interacting and arguing spread widely across social media.
Users created memes referencing Christopher Nolan, Lamborghini, The Wolf of Wall Street and marriage proposals.
The film’s unexpected online popularity led cinemas to add screenings to meet demand.
Its deliberately mocked visual style helped turn the apparent box-office underdog into an internet sensation.
- Who
- Niu Lai, its filmmakers and the social-media users who shared and remixed clips from it.
- What
- A low-budget Chinese animated film became an unexpected online sensation and prompted cinemas to add screenings.
- Where
- On social media and in cinemas showing the film.
- When
- The film was released earlier this month, according to the article.
- Why
- Its crudely designed cows and apparently poor animation became the subject of widespread jokes and memes.
Key facts
- Film
- Niu Lai, translated as The Bull Is Coming
- Country
- China
- Genre
- Animated film
- Promotion before release
- The production received almost no publicity before its release.
- Viral subject
- Clips of two unusually designed cows interacting, bickering or staring blankly.
- Online response
- Users created memes referencing Christopher Nolan, Lamborghini and The Wolf of Wall Street.
- Cinema response
- Cinemas added screenings to meet unexpected demand.
Sources
Related news
How Badly Animated Chinese Film Became an Internet Sensation
China’s Viral Niu Lai Turns Mockery Into Box-Office Sensation
Mocked Chinese Animation Niu Lai Surges Against Hollywood Blockbusters
Niu Lai: Ridiculed Chinese Animated Film Becomes Box Office Sensation
Fan-Made Films Obsession and Niu Lai Dethrone Box-Office Giants
Anil Ravipudi’s Quirky Film Title Sparks Telugu Twitter Trolling
Beyond the F1 Track: Six Destinations Worth Exploring
Hayden Panettiere Dead at 36: 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' Star Remembered
Lamborghini Revuelto SV debuts as track-focused 1,065hp supercar
Lamborghini Marks Miura's 60th With Limited Revuelto Special Edition
