Family films draw audiences as China’s holiday box office tops 501 mln yuan

Family-friendly films are emerging as a key draw during China's National Day holiday, with a slate spanning animation, crime thrillers, comedy and socially themed drama aimed at moviegoers across generations.

China's box office during the holiday from Oct 1-7 surpassed 501 million yuan, or over 74.7 million U.S. dollars, so far as of 17:06 local time on Saturday, data from Chinese box-office tracker Beacon Professional showed.

The National Day break is traditionally a key release window for China's film industry, with distributors launching major titles to tap increased holiday demand.

Among the new releases is "Peppa Pig: Perfect Holiday," the first 3D feature film in the British preschool franchise. The film follows Peppa and her family on a holiday adventure and incorporates Chinese cultural elements, including dragon boat racing.

A brother and sister in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, were among those who watched the film with their parents.

"I came to the movies today with my mom, dad and older sister," the boy said.

"We watched Peppa Pig," his sister said.

"I really liked it, especially the dragon boat race," the boy added.

Other family-oriented releases include "New Big Head Son and Small Head Dad: The Heavenly Eye Series - The Out-of-Control Seventh Day," which blends fantasy adventure with themes of family ties and growing up. The movie is the latest installment in one of China's best-known animated franchises, whose original television series first aired in 1995.

The family comedy "Mr. and Mrs. Pardon" follows a long-married couple who unexpectedly swap bodies, using the ensuing comic chaos to explore marital tensions and mutual understanding.

Beyond family titles, the holiday lineup includes films catering to a wider range of audiences.

The crime thriller "Traces of Justice," based on the real-life work of a forensic evidence specialist, follows investigators as they use physical evidence to solve criminal cases.

"Waiting for Myself" focuses on the lives of middle-aged and older people, offering a story aimed at senior moviegoers.

"I thought it was good. It felt as if the story were unfolding right around us, and it drew me in step by step. I hope to see more films like this about middle-aged and older people -- films that reflect the lives of people our age," an older moviegoer in Beijing said.

Family films draw audiences as China’s holiday box office tops 501 mln yuan

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, on Friday continued his China Open unbeaten run by defeating Bu Yunchaokete.

The Serbian player last competed at the China Open in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title. He remains the tournament's most successful men's singles player, having won in 2009, 2010 and from 2012 to 2015.

In men's singles at this year's China Open, ongoing from Sept 28 to Oct 11, the six-time China Open champion extended his unbeaten record to 31 matches, defeating his Chinese opponent 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.

The 39-year-old veteran saved multiple break points before losing the first set to the 24-year-old Bu. The second set was dragged to tie-break and the Serbian made the most of his characteristic serves to take it.

"I think Bu was very motivated, he was very sharp tonight. He had clear tactics and vision of what he needs to do against me to beat me, he was very close. I think I played a great third set, the best set definitely of the tournament so far for me. And I think also in the second set I had a lot of break point opportunities, serving well in my games. But we got to the tie break," said Djokovic.

"A great opponent, a great quality opponent tonight. For me the biggest win was the way I felt in the third set. Even though we played almost three hours, I felt more fresh in the third than I have in first and second. So that's a good sign," he said.

Djokovic continues unbeaten run at China Open, praises China's Bu as "great quality opponent"