Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force (2025)

Part two of Wuershan’s epic has no real beginning, no real ending and a reported $120M of middle. Adapted from the Ming dynasty novel Investiture of the Gods, it’s packed with so many generals, spirits and factions that newcomers will be lost by the first siege. The spectacle is the payoff, and every dollar is on screen. Giants storm the walls of Xiqi. Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong drowns the city in darkness and hangs floating mirrors that knock out anyone their beams touch. Deng Chanyu, a general fighting to honor her late father, faces down a qilin. Some character designs became online memes, with the Tongtian Cult Leader compared to Voldemort, but critics saved their praise for the practical effects and a scale one compared to The Lord of the Rings. That’s fair. A 6.6 because the battles are glorious and the story is a long bridge to the next chapter. $8,729 says you spend the credits ranking the immortals of Kunlun by who you’d trust to guard your front door.

What works: The set pieces are huge and genuinely impressive, from giants storming Xiqi’s walls to a city swallowed by darkness and floating mirrors.

What doesn’t: As a middle chapter it has no real ending, and the crowd of spirits, generals and factions will leave anyone who skipped part one behind.

Who it’s for: Viewers who saw the first film and want the war for Xiqi on the biggest screen they can find.