A badly animated Chinese animated film, “Niu Lai,” becomes a surprise box-office success after clips of its crude visuals and unusual story spread widely online. Multiple outlets report that the film draws attention through viral posts that mock its animation quality, yet still pulls in paying audiences.
The coverage emphasizes how social media and meme culture affect entertainment consumption. While one account focuses on how the film’s animation and storytelling are widely criticized as “terrible” or “ugly,” the reporting also notes the commercial result: despite online ridicule, “Niu Lai” continues to earn revenue. Another outlet frames the outcome as an example of memes shaping viewer interest, turning negative reactions into mainstream attention.
Together, the sources describe a pattern in which online mockery increases visibility and helps drive box-office performance, rather than stopping the film from reaching theaters. Estimates cited across outlets place the film’s box-office takings at about $2.5 million.
