Dinosaurs await as new PAW Patrol movie hits big screens

The lovable rescue dogs from the enduring PAW Patrol franchise are gearing up for another big-screen adventure with PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, which is set for nationwide release across the Chinese mainland on Aug 8.

Directed by Cal Brunker, the latest installment follows Ryder and the PAW Patrol after a mysterious superstorm sweeps them to an uncharted island inhabited by dinosaurs. Trouble soon arises when their longtime rival, Mayor Humdinger, launches a large-scale mining operation that accidentally awakens a dormant volcano. Faced with an unprecedented natural disaster, the heroic pups must stop Humdinger before everything on the island goes extinct.

Ahead of the film's release, a two-day premiere event was held at Beijing's Chaoyang Park from July 25 to 26, transforming the venue into an immersive outdoor experience for families. Children enjoyed an advance screening of the film on a giant outdoor CINITY LED screen, offering a novel moviegoing experience that combined cutting-edge technology with an open-air setting.

The event also featured a range of interactive activities inspired by the film's dinosaur theme. Designed like an outdoor science classroom, the venue included a sandpit where children could excavate "dinosaur eggs" and educational sessions led by instructors from institutions including the Natural History Museum of China. The activities allowed young visitors to learn about prehistoric creatures while stepping into an environment modeled after the movie's lush dinosaur island.

For Chinese audiences, the Mandarin-language version features a voice cast that includes Zhang Natie, the son of internet personality Zhang Cailing and her Canadian husband Jamie Mulholland, adding another point of interest for local viewers.

As of Thursday, advance screenings, running from July 27 to 31 in 32 cities nationwide, together with presales, had grossed more than 5.2 million yuan ($769,000) at the box office, according to film industry tracker Maoyan Pro, signaling significant anticipation ahead of its nationwide debut.