{
  "id": 1238637,
  "title": "Low-budget art, high-budget virality: How a crude animated film captivated China (VIDEO)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/low-budget-art-high-budget-virality-how-a-crude-animated-film",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T08:38:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/08/16/low-budget-art-high-budget-virality-how-a-crude-animated-film-captivated-china-video/231590"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BEIJING, August 16 — A low-budget animated film, Niu Lai (\"Here Comes the Ox\"), has captivated China despite being dismissed for its crude visuals. Initially released in just 245 cinemas, the movie earned only 7,169 yuan in its first nine days. Initially met with scorn, its poster looking little like the film, viewers began sharing clips on social media, sparking curiosity. Box office numbers skyrocketed past 200,000 yuan within days, with some theaters adding additional screenings due to demand. A commentary published by China's The Paper argues that the film's success stems not from cinematic merit but the internet's appetite for novelty. As high-budget animation becomes commonplace, Niu Lai's unrestrained style offers a refreshing contrast. Critics wonder if viewers are rebelling against convention, finding amusement in the film's primitive aesthetics or simply enjoying the shared experience of a meme-driven spectacle. Niu Lai was produced by Dalian Jingyuan Culture Film and Television Media, a company that shifted from interior decoration to animation in 2021. Director Xin Yumeng and writer Sun Lifang are the only credited crew members. Despite its modest earnings, the film's viral trajectory demonstrates how internet culture can propel even marginal works to prominence. Analysts caution that Niu Lai sits at the edge of regulatory norms, emphasizing that theatrical releases still demand basic production sincerity. Whether the buzz will sustain beyond its meme moment remains uncertain, but for now, Niu Lai exemplifies the internet's power to transform even flawed films into cultural phenomena.",
  "summary": "BEIJING, Aug 16 — A tiny Chinese animated film made by just two people — and initially dismissed for its cru...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}