Limited Creativity and Cliché Subject Matter

Many people believe that Chinese animated films do not do well at the box office because we lack the kind of technology that Western studios have, so that the visuals and sound of our films cannot compete with Hollywood ones. But as a matter of fact, this is not the case. We simply cannot make a good film without a good story. Currently, Chinese animated films often come off as plain and childish. Hence, they do not appeal to adults. This is the result of their "low age". Children and adults have different tastes. Blindly catering to childrens’ taste and leaving out profound content will stand in the way of creative thinking.

Nine Chinese animated films will come out this summer, including Kunta. The film tells the story of how children can break free from adults and search for their paradise. It took about 200 people three years to make the film, which claims to be neck-and-neck with Hollywood animated films. However, from its content, we can still see that the film mainly targets children.

How Can Chinese Animated Films Break Through the Bottleneck?

There is an essential difference between cartoons and animated films. Cartoons are usually broadcast on children's TV channels, targeting children under 12 years old. Animated films are screened in cinemas, aiming to attract audiences of all ages. We need to change our perception that "animated films are only for children" and understand that these films should also attract adults. This change of perception can help Chinese animated films capture a broader market. It will also be beneficial for their industrialization.

It is time for our animated films to "grow up". Their themes should not only include animals and fairy tales, but also move towards people's beliefs, social responsibilities, humanistic concerns, and our relationship with nature. The theme of animated films should not be inferior to normal films. Their creation allows us to let our imaginations fly and produce more attractive work.