'Curious Tales of a Temple' animated movie set for July release

An epic animated fantasy anthology film "Curious Tales of a Temple" is set for release in July, intertwining six storylines from China's classic supernatural story collection "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" by Pu Songling.

A poster for "Curious Tales of a Temple." [Image courtesy of Light Chaser Animation]

The animated film, co-directed by Cui Yuemei, Liu Yuan, Xie Junwei, Zou Jing, Huang Heyu and Liu Yilin — with each directing one story — and produced by Song Yiyi, adapts Pu Songling's stories in anthology format. As the 10th feature-length production from Light Chaser Animation, it stands as the studio's most ambitious film to date, featuring the largest scale and most extensive creative team. The movie marks their fifth straight summer release after blockbusters "Green Snake," "New Gods: Yang Jian," "Chang An" and "White Snake: Afloat."

"Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" is a 17th-century collection of stories by Pu Songling that blends folklore, fantasy and moral lessons. The tales feature scholars, spirits and shape-shifting creatures in dreamlike scenarios that explore virtue, retribution and the mystical. With elegant prose and wit, Pu crafts enchanting short stories in which humans grapple with otherworldly dilemmas. This anthology reveals profound truths about human nature through the extraordinary, while being both entertaining and enlightening.

In a May 15 announcement, Light Chaser Animation said that in adapting "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" into an animated feature, it has pushed creative boundaries in storytelling, visual style and audiovisual experience, striving to deliver a fresh, interesting and immersive journey into the extraordinary world of Eastern fantasy.

The six stories center on Lanruo Temple, an ancient ruin haunted by spirits. The newly released trailer opens with scholar Pu Songling exploring the temple at night, weaving in classic tales like "Taoist from Laoshan Mountain," "Princess Lotus," "Nie Xiaoqian," "The Painted Skin" and "The Daughter of Magistrate Lu." These stories — spanning humans, ghosts and demons — explore love, death and morality against shifting time. The film merges six distinct styles into one anthology, offering fresh perspectives. For example, "Taoist from Laoshan Mountain" uses felt-textured animation, while "The Painted Skin" mirrors Song dynasty painting aesthetics, appealing to new viewers and longtime fans alike while showcasing Light Chaser's blend of innovation and tradition.

"Curious Tales of a Temple" will open in theaters nationwide on July 12 as a strong contender at the summer box office.