China has a long history of making animated movies. But it still lags far behind Hollywood in creating box-office hits. Viewers and filmmakers say one problem is that most Chinese cartoon movies aren't made with adults in mind.

One home-made cartoon movie also did well, the Boonic Bear, developed from a TV series. But some viewers say the most watched Chinese cartoons now are only suitable for children.

In 2014, Hollywood produced the top three cartoon movies in mainland cinemas -- How to Train Your Dragon 2, the Despicable Me 2 and Frozen. Each of them earned at least 300 million yuan at the box office. But most of their viewers were adults.

One home-made cartoon movie also did well, the Boonic Bear, developed from a TV series. But some viewers say the most watched Chinese cartoons now are only suitable for children.

"Primary school students like Boonic Bear. They learn some discipline from it. And they get fun from Legend of Rabbit. While we parents and teachers see the sense of values behind the animation," said Nie Ying, an audience member.

China has had some success with adult-oriented cartoon movies. In 1999, the Lotus Lantern produced in Shanghai raked in 29 million yuan, outperforming Disney's Mulan, which only brought in 10 million yuan at the mainland box offices. But few home-made productions have had similar success. But one cartoon movie producer from North America says Chinese cartoon movies need better marketing skills. He says besides ticket sales, Hollywood movies can make profit from selling merchandise like toys.

Martel says Chinese people have a different movie-watching culture.

"Our culture is really more going to the cinema, watching the movie and then maybe if the movie is good then people will talk about it on the Internet. For you guys here it's more like we watch it on the internet, we love it and then we would love to see that on the big screen. It's like the other way around," said Hugues Martel, CEO of Purearts Entertainment.

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