Spring may be here, but winter’s gray chill is still lingering in the air, and this weather just calls for cuddling up at the movies! Here’s our pick of international family-friendly movies that are playing in the cinemas, or will be very soon, to catch this spring.

Kung Fu Panda 4 

Everybody’s favorite black and white Dragon Warrior returns in the fourth instalment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and this time he’s fighting everyone he’s ever fought before! Villains from the first three films – Tai Lung, Lord Shen and General Kai – are all brought back from the Spirit Realm by the new Master Villain Chameleon in an all-out battle with Po. Beyond the action, the plot centers around Po seeking a replacement Dragon Warrior as he is needed to take on the role of leader of the Valley of Peace. Enter Awkwafina, who plays sly fox bandit Chen in the film. Chen is poised to take the position if only she can decide on the right path. Definitely a family-pleaser, Kung Fu Panda 4 is now playing at movie theatres across China.

We highly recommend catching Kung Fu Panda 4 at the Kids Cinema (亲子厅) at HOPSON ONE. Read all about this toddler-friendly cinema complete with ball pit and slide inside the cinema here!

Dune: Part Two

Best for tweens and teens who still dare to be seen in public with their parents, Dune: Part Two is a great follow-up to its cinematic IMAX predecessor. This action-packed sequel gives plenty of screen time to gorgeous award-winning actors Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya and, of course, Timothée Chalamet – whom tweens might recognize most from his recent role as Willy Wonka in the movie musical Wonka last Christmas. Dune: Part Two also reveals Christopher Walken as the face of the mysterious emperor, and his daughter, played by Florence Pugh. The stellar cast and incredible cinematography will keep you on the edge of your seat, even if the political/religious plot may leave you wanting more answers, which we can expect in the final movie installment next year. Dune: Part Two is currently playing at major movie theaters near you.

We recommend catching Dune: Part Two in IMAX at the Universal CityWalk Cinema. Being relatively new and well-maintained, it tends to be less crowded since people don’t usually travel all the way to Universal just to catch a movie. But here’s why you should.

Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire

Make sure you catch up on all the previous Kong and Godzilla films before you head into the cinema for this one, not because you’ll miss out on any critical plot points, but so that you’ll in the right headspace to appreciate the spectacular special effects and CGI action that’s promised in this fifth sequel film in the MonsterVerse franchise by Legendary Pictures. The film is rated PG-13 just like the other films in the franchise starting from 2014’s Godzilla reboot, so if your kids could handle those, then they’ll good to go for this latest one. I’m just going to watch it to find out why Godzilla’s turned pink.

Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire comes out in cinemas Mar 29.

Hot Tip: Buy movie tickets ahead of time in three easy steps! Go to the “Me” tab in WeChat under “Services” and scroll down to the “Event Tickets” option. That will bring you to movies straight away. The family-friendly cinema option is 亲子厅 qingziting and movies in English are listed as 英语 yīngyǔ English-language.

Images: Unsplash, Internet

Jane Goodall’s name needs little introduction in our society, but many of us probably don’t really know the extent of her contributions to the study of our natural world and the impact she’s had on it. A fun and easy way to find out? Catch the documentary Jane produced by National Geographic, now playing in English at major cinemas throughout the city of Beijing.

From October 17, catch award-winning director Brett Morgan’s story of Goodall that draws from over 100 hours of never-before-seen footage that has been tucked away in the National Geographic archives for over 50 years. According to the National Geographic site, Goodall’s work as a “woman whose chimpanzee research challenged the male-dominated scientific consensus of her time has revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. Set to a rich orchestral score from legendary composer Philip Glass, the film offers an unprecedented, intimate portrait of Jane Goodall – a trailblazer who defied the odds to become one of the world’s most admired conservationists.”

Jane will be screened in English in Beijing cinemas and is also available in IMAX format at selected theaters.

Currently, other international films playing in English include Oppenheimer and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. To find out what movies are playing at a cinema near you and to purchase movie tickets ahead of time, simply click the “Me” tab in WeChat and choose “Services.” Then scroll down to “Event Tickets.” This page will show you movies that are currently playing, that will soon be playing, and other shows and exhibitions.

To check if a movie is playing in English, look for the words “英语“ (English) or ”原版“ (Original format) under the movie title. If it is the latter, the movie will be in the original language that it was filmed in.

Have fun at the movies!

Images: Britannica, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

KEEP READING: My Kid’s Favorite Cinema + Indoor Playground, All for RMB 160

It’s a good time for kid-friendly entertainment in Beijing these days! When the sun just gets way too bright and you need a break from the heat, step into your favorite cinemas and catch one of these family-friendly summer flicks!

Dragon Rider [92minutes]

Quietly released in the local cinemas just over a week ago, Dragon Rider might have slipped under your movie radar because it was actually released on Netflix way back in 2021. But if you prefer your movies on the big screen, then check out the film adaption of the popular novel that’s also available in IMAX theaters here. Featuring the voices of renowned actors Patrick Stewart, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Freddie Highmore and Felicity Jones, the PG movie is great for fans of Dreamworks’ hit “How to Train Your Dragon” series.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie [92minutes]

Even a month after its release, the Super Mario Movie Bros. Movie is still playing in cinemas around the city. Rated PG, this colorful and action-packed animated film will definitely entertain the entire family, plus take the adults down memory lane with all the iconic 90’s gaming childhood characters. This film is even available in 4D at selected cinemas, though we should warn you that some adults have found the roller-coaster-esque seats far too much for them and had to stand to watch the movie instead!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 [149minutes]

Newly released last Friday on Cinco de Mayo, the third installment of Marvel’s rag-tag band of superheroes is rated PG-13 for good reason. There’s themes of animal cruelty, loads of violence and some gore, plus a surprisingly amount of bad words for a Disney film. An online review has rather aptly said that “this is not a film for the very young or the easily offended”. That said, the film stays very true to its original anti-hero roots and continues to be a very musically-driven journey that will have you singing along or tapping your feet. I highly recommend watching the film in all its 3D glory, though I would steer clear of the first couple of rows to save yourself the risk of a headache.

As a quick recap, the most family-friendly cinemas in Beijing are the 亲子厅 (Qīnzǐ tīng) which usually have some sort of play features like a slide, inside the cinema itself, as well as cushy arm chairs. Other than that, we recommend the cinema at Universal Studios Beijing’s Citywalk for its newness, spacious seats and latest audio-visual technology. I recently discovered the VIP hall at Hopson One’s cinema, which gives you comfy reclining seats for a hefty price tag (RMB165 per pax in 3D). It was a good experience but other than the more convenient downtown location, it’s no better than the cinema at Universal Citywalk and definitely more expensive.

Check out this post on how to buy movie tickets easily on WeChat!

Images: Disney, Wikipedia, Pexels

I think I may have visited Universal CityWalk more often than actually going into Universal Studios itself – just because I really enjoy walking around the restaurants and shops, hearing distant screams of adrenaline, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere all for free! And I’m still discovering something fun all the time – for example the Universal CityWalk cinema!

If you’re going to watch a movie in Beijing, this is the cinema you should go to. Here’s why:

1) It’s so spanking brand new

Since Universal Studios and CityWalk just officially opened its doors late last year, everything is still shiny and new! You know how most cinemas smell of either feet or stale popcorn? There’s none of that here within the slick new walls of Universal’s CityWalk cinema (and let’s hope it stays that way!). The seats are spacious, sound system is top notch, and picture quality is absolutely perfect. You might think the tickets cost more, but thry are actually the standard price of RMB 55 for regular 2D films, and RMB 99 for IMAX 2D films.

2) It’s usually empty … like totally

When we went on the Friday afternoon and there was only one other person in the entire cinema. This isn’t an anomaly, since most people who make the trip to Universal Studios property aren’t just going to watch a movie. Also, the films that are screened are mostly in their original English soundtracks, so that tends to draw less of a crowd from the local market, giving you plenty of room to stretch out and not worry about disturbing others when your child is yelling at the screen.

3) Pizza party, anyone?

In my opinion, the coolest thing about watching a film in the Universal CityWalk Cinema is how you’re currently allowed to bring pizzas from the Red Oven Pizza restaurant right next door into the theater and eat them while watching the film! We don’t know if this is the cinema’s official policy, or simply a friendly gesture by the cinema’s management towards the patrons during these low-traffic times, but it’s certainly a great way to have a pizza/movie party at the same time!

Universal CityWalk is easily accessible by subway, which is actually a fun ride because it’s above-ground, so you don’t have to worry about claustrophobia or getting bored since you can observe the city’s scenery flying past as you make the 45-minute direct trip on Line 1. You can check movie timings and buy your tickets beforehand by going into Services in your WeChat account, scrolling down to Event Tickets and typing in 环球影城大道 (huán qiú yǐng chéng dà dào).

KEEP READING: KEEP READING: My Kid’s Favorite Cinema + Indoor Playground, All for RMB 160

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Just two weeks after its release, Nezha (哪吒之魔童降世) is already the most successful animated film ever to hit Chinese theaters, raking in over RMB 1.5 billion – and for good reason. It’s not just the barrage of special effects, snappy dialogue, and hand-to-hand combat scenes between magical beings, but also its titular hero’s unique journey that makes this one of the most unique – and watchable – films to come out of China in years.

Like so many subjects of Chinese movies, Nezha is a mythical figure of classical Chinese literature, most famously from Investiture of the Gods, but also appearing in other works, including Journey to the West. According to these stories, the prodigious Nezha is born to a military leader and is immediately able to speak and walk. After training under Taiyi Zhenren, another famous figure of Daoist literature, he later becomes embroiled in a conflict between the Dragon King and his own family.

This latest retelling is not particularly faithful to classics, but is rather a vehicle for the writer and director, Jiaozi (yep, like the food), to tell a story of mastering one’s own fate. And what better way to do that than through a rebellious youth with the powers of a god?

Part of the fun is that the audience is forced to question whether Nezha is fundamentally good or bad

While it is not exactly a coming-of-age story (unless you count the bizarre fight scene where Nezha is briefly transformed into a more powerful teenage version of himself), nor is it quite the tale of a reluctant hero –Nezha is eager for action literally from birth – the story does center around a young Nezha as he struggles to uncover his own true nature. After being outcast from a society that views him as the devil incarnate and put on magical lockdown in his room in the military fortress, this proves to be no small task.

The viewer is more aware of his origin story than Nezha himself, but due to his depiction as a rambunctious, egocentric, and frankly, kind of ugly child, the audience is forced to question whether he is fundamentally good or bad. Indeed, the lines between good and evil are blurred throughout the movie as even the Dragon King antagonist is somewhat complex and worthy of sympathy. That is exactly what makes Nezha’s struggle so interesting: the “right” thing for him to do is not cut and dried, and only he can decide for himself.

Refreshingly, “Nezha” is unafraid to put a modern spin on an ancient Chinese tale

Unfortunately, you probably will not be able to catch this movie in theaters with English subtitles (watch a subtitled trailer here to get a taste). There are still, however, a number of reasons to see it on the big screen, even if your Chinese isn’t quite at the top of the HSK ladder. For one thing, the plot is relatively easy to follow without understanding every bit of dialogue, even if some of the explanations about the power dynamics between the dragon race and humanity get lost in the background. More importantly, this movie is downright fun. Both action and humor are fast-moving, and just as the story’s philosophy is updated for a modern audience, so too are its jokes, which creatively blend traditional elements with concepts from modern technology. Oh, and there are a couple of fart jokes as well.

Overall, if you want to see what locals are watching, Nezha is great place to start.

READ: Jackie Chan and Arnie, Liam Neeson, and Clint Eastwood Films All Secure China Release

Images: Medium, Huanghelou

Parents looking for things to do with their offspring on chilly November days will be warmed by the knowledge that a strong of international blockbusters are coming to Beijing cinemas this month. We’ve picked out three fabulous fantasies for families to enjoy together. Don’t forget that international films are usually screened in both subtitled and dubbed versions, often at different times at the same cinema. Make sure you’re booking for a screening which suits your language skills.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Already screening is Disney’s latest live-action fantasy, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. It’s based on the classic story which also inspired Tchaikovsky’s much-loved ballet, about a Christmas gift which opens a door to a magical kingdom. So far the movie has been less well-loved, with one critic describing it as “an explosion of special effects and set design in search of a story.” However little princesses will adore its sparkly festive glamor.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls

Director Eli Roth is not exactly known for family-friendly fare, but like Peter Jackson before him, he’s brought skills honed in the horror genre to more mainstream fantasy. The House With a Clock in Its Walls may still be a little scary for the youngest kids, but should provide satisfying thrills for elementary-age kids and up. It’s the tale of a boy who goes to stay with his uncle in a mysterious house, and discovers a hidden world of witches and warlocks.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Despite the last of the novels having hit the screens seven years ago, the Harry Potter universe keeps on giving. Fantastic Beasts began as a fundraising book for charity but has now spawned not only a film but a sequel too. Kids who are potty about Potter will love this prequel, with a screenplay by JK Rowling herself, in which a young Albus Dumbledore joins up with Newt Scamander to battle the dark wizard Grindelwald.

Photos: www.rottentomatoes.com, Wikimedia Commons

Well thank god: someone’s finally got it together to create an English-language cinema booking site.

While Chinese-language online booking systems have proliferated recently (you can even buy cinema tickets now via the Baidu Maps function on an iPhone), they’re a real pain to use for those that cannot read Chinese.

247cinema, which started up in October of last year, boasts an all-English interface and accepts payments by major credit cards, PayPal, and UnionPay.

Bookings can be made for over 50 cinemas in Beijing, including the Jackie Chan International, Jinyi, Broadway, Poly International, Huayi Brothers and Bona cinema chains.

Registration is easy and the site is simple and straightforward, and even lets you choose your seats for the showing.

But even if you have no intention of booking your tickets online, the site is a boon for movie lovers because it lists the language that every film is shown in.

No such comprehensive list is currently compiled anywhere in English, and knowing this is of critical importance as many cinemas show two versions of the same foreign film: one dubbed into Chinese and one in the original language.

The site unfortunately does not list the subtitles that are featured on each film. All films shown in Beijing are subtitled in Chinese; some Chinese films, particularly those from Hong Kong, often have English as well, allowing non-Chinese speakers to enjoy them.

Not all Beijing movie theaters are in 247cinema’s system yet — prominent among the missing are the Wanda, UME and Megabox chains — but organizers are adding new ones all the time (they expect to get UME up in a few weeks).

Some of the Beijing cinemas already on the site include Imax Joy City Chaoyang; Purple Light Movieland in Chaoyangmen; Huayi Brothers Cinema in Wangjing; Chaoyang Cinemas on the East Third Ring; the Bona Cinema in U-Town; and the OSGH Cinema in Phoenix Town.

Bookings can be made for the current day and the next day or two, depending on the cinema.

Once you purchase your ticket online, a code is sent to your phone and email. Most cinemas in the network have a ticket-printing machine on site. Type the code into the machine and your tickets will be printed.

In the event the cinema where you made the booking does not have a ticket-printing machine, the system informs you of this via email and text.

There are some limitations on the site. For instance, there is no ability to search films by cinema: If you want to see what’s playing at your local cineplex, you’re out of luck — cinemas are listed, but the site does not list the films currently showing there. Operators of the site say a version 2.0 will be out soon that will address this problem.

Now if we could just convince Taobao, Didi Dache and JD.com to come up with English interfaces …

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on May 28, 2014.

Image: 247cinema

If you’d like to see your little boy on the silver screen, read on…

Jackie Chan is filming his next English language feature, Skiptrace, in China this summer and autumn. An action comedy, the film will be directed by Renny Harlin, whose other movies include Die Hard 2 and The Long Kiss Goodnight. The cast of international stars also includes Fan Bingbing, Seann William Scott, and perhaps your son!

In Skiptrace, detective Bennie (Jackie Chan) sets out to take down Hong Kong’s most notorious criminal, together with his niece (Fan Bingbing), and American gambler Connor (Seann William Scott).  They are chased by various killers as their dramatic escape from Russia through Mongolia to China unfolds.

Casting Director PoPing AuYeung, who worked on Karate Kid, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny, as well as other big-budget Sino-foreign productions, is back in Beijing to cast the film. beijingkids first featured AuYeung in an article on breaking into the movies back in November.

AuYeung is looking to find the perfect kid to play Tommy, the son of Seann William Scott’s character. “I am searching for an American boy, age 8-10. Tommy is Connor’s son from Nevada.  He doesn’t get to see his dad much and is very happy to see him when he shows up unannounced. He has a couple of short lines so we need the little actor to sound American.”

Shooting for the movie takes place from early August to mid-November, in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. However the scenes for Tommy’s character will be shot in Inner Mongolia in early to mid August, which means filming should not interfere with school schedules.

Auditions will take place in Beijing, over the next three weeks. Contact AuYeung at skiptracecasting@gmail.com for more information. “Anyone who’s interested in acting, even adults, can email me, and we’ll send them a submission form to fill out,” she says. You can learn more about AuYeung’s general requirements for submissions and auditions here.

Who knows, you may make Skiptrace a family affair, as AuYeung is also casting the following adult roles:

Darla, American Female. 40s to 50s. Shooting location: Either Guangxi or Beijing. Darla is one half of an American tourist couple. She is loud, perhaps overweight. She excitedly takes photos with her phone when she sees Connor and Bennie waking up in the cave. 2 lines.

Eugene, American Male. 40s to 50s. Shooting location:  Either Guangxi or Beijing. Eugene is the husband of American tourist Darla.  He is only interested in finding a gift shop, totally ignoring his wife.  Perhaps speaks with a southern accent. 1 line.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

If you’d like to see your little boy on the silver screen, read on…

Jackie Chan is filming his next English language feature, Skiptrace, in China this summer and autumn. An action comedy, the film will be directed by Renny Harlin, whose other movies include Die Hard 2 and The Long Kiss Goodnight. The cast of international stars also includes Fan Bingbing, Seann William Scott, and perhaps your son!

In Skiptrace, detective Bennie (Jackie Chan) sets out to take down Hong Kong’s most notorious criminal, together with his niece (Fan Bingbing), and American gambler Connor (Seann William Scott).  They are chased by various killers as their dramatic escape from Russia through Mongolia to China unfolds.

Casting Director PoPing AuYeung, who worked on Karate Kid, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny, as well as other big-budget Sino-foreign productions, is back in Beijing to cast the film. beijingkids first featured AuYeung in an article on breaking into the movies back in November.

AuYeung is looking to find the perfect kid to play Tommy, the son of Seann William Scott’s character. “I am searching for an American boy, age 8-10. Tommy is Connor’s son from Nevada.  He doesn’t get to see his dad much and is very happy to see him when he shows up unannounced. He has a couple of short lines so we need the little actor to sound American.”

Shooting for the movie takes place from early August to mid-November, in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. However the scenes for Tommy’s character will be shot in Inner Mongolia in early to mid August, which means filming should not interfere with school schedules.

Auditions will take place in Beijing, over the next three weeks. Contact AuYeung at skiptracecasting@gmail.com for more information. “Anyone who’s interested in acting, even adults, can email me, and we’ll send them a submission form to fill out,” she says. You can learn more about AuYeung’s general requirements for submissions and auditions here.

Who knows, you may make Skiptrace a family affair, as AuYeung is also casting the following adult roles:

Sergei, Russian Male, Mid 20s – 40s. Shooting locations: Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Macau.
Sergei is a Russian gangster with a curious looking uni-brow.  He works for mob boss Dima to bring Connor to Russia and he often works alongside elite killer, Dasha to hunt down Connor and Bennie… A supporting role. Speaks English with a Russian accent.

Natalya, Russian Female. Mid 20s. Shooting location: Beijing.
Blonde and beautiful, Natalya is the daughter of Dima and she is pregnant with Connor’s child.  She is sweet and still has a sense of innocence. Speaks English and a few words in Russian. 

Russian Nurse, Russian Female. 30s to 40s. Shooting location: Beijing
She aids in the delivery of Natalya’s baby. Speaks five words in Russian.

Darla, American Female. 40s to 50s. Shooting location: Either Guangxi or Beijing.
Darla is one half of an American tourist couple.   She is loud, perhaps overweight. She excitedly takes photos with her phone when she sees Connor and Bennie waking up in the cave. 2 lines.

Eugene, American Male. 40s to 50s. Shooting location:  Either Guangxi or Beijing
Eugene is the husband of American tourist Darla.  He is only interested in finding a gift shop, totally ignoring his wife.  Perhaps speaks with a southern accent. 1 line.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia