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How a ‘rough’ and ‘crude’ Chinese cartoon ox went from box office zero to hero

A raw, handcrafted Chinese animation has become an unlikely box-office sensation despite being widely panned by critics and social media users.
Niu Lai, or The Arrival…

By Samantha Johnson / August 16, 2026

A raw, handcrafted Chinese animation has become an unlikely box-office sensation despite being widely panned by critics and social media users.

Niu Lai, or The Arrival of the Ox, has been criticised for its “rough” and “broken” style and a plot that many viewers found hard to follow.

The popularity of the two American films has already seen the release of some high-profile Chinese films – including Three Kingdoms: The Beginning, a historical drama set in the third century – being delayed or cancelled.

Niu Lai’s plot, which revolves around a dream sequence involving a calf and a skylark that helps teach him about love, courage, perseverance and sacrifice, has been widely criticised as confusing.

Its “unpolished” animation further riled viewers, with Beijing News describing it as “stiff and glitchy” and the voice acting as “jarring”.

Jiefang Daily said it was a “noticeably crude production” and complained that the content was “overly childish”.

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