Home / Arts and Entertainment / Terrible Animation, Huge Hit: Cow Movie Goes Viral
Terrible Animation, Huge Hit: Cow Movie Goes Viral
18 Aug
Summary
- A low-budget animation film about a cow has become a surprise box office hit.
- Ticket sales surged after the movie went viral for its poor quality and confusing plot.
- Some viewers see the film as an antidote to AI-generated content, praising its 'hand-crafted' nature.

A low-budget animation film, "Niu Lai," has achieved unprecedented success, drawing significant crowds despite its widely acknowledged poor quality. The movie, initially released with minimal promotion, saw a dramatic increase in ticket sales after gaining viral attention for its confusing narrative and dated graphics.
"Niu Lai" has now grossed over 11.4 million yuan, a remarkable turnaround from its initial earnings of just 7,705 yuan in its first ten days. This surge has allowed it to compete with major Hollywood releases, captivating audiences through social media buzz.
Some viewers are championing the film as a reaction against AI-generated content, praising its "hand-crafted" and "pure handmade" animation style. This unexpected popularity has led cinemas to add more screenings to meet soaring demand.
However, this success has not been universally welcomed. State-owned media has cautioned that continually screening "Niu Lai" risks lowering audience expectations and trust in cinemas. They urge venues to act as gatekeepers, rejecting substandard films.