"Boonie Bears," an enduring animated franchise featuring the titular sibling bears, is set to return to the domestic film market next week with its 11th installment, "Boonie Bears: Future Reborn."

The creative team poses for a photo with the audience at the premiere of "Boonie Bears: Future Reborn" in Beijing on Jan. 22, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Fantawild Animation]

The new film carries forward the franchise's recent venture into sci-fi storytelling, exploring themes of time travel and dystopia. The story centers on Vick the logger, alongside Xiao Liang, a teenager thrust from the future into an unexpected adventure. Joined by the lovable bears Briar and Bramble, they find themselves a century in the future, where Earth is overrun by monstrous mutant spore plants. Together, they must find and defeat the villain threatening the planet's safety.

Opening on Jan. 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year, this film serves as the finale for the franchise's sci-fi subseries, which includes five installments. "We have explored themes of artificial intelligence, aerospace, and multiverse timelines. The decision to choose an apocalyptic theme for this new installment reflects our perspective on reality," said Shang Linlin, the film's chief producer and executive president of Fantawild Animation, during the premiere in Beijing on Jan. 22.

Shang continued: "In recent years, many people have likely felt a sense of powerlessness and confusion, feeling as if we, as individuals, are insignificant. Despite this, I believe we all yearn for hope and light. By setting this story 100 years in the future during a time of disaster, we show that even in the face of great difficulties, hope endures. With the arrival of the Chinese New Year, we hope the film will bring joy and warmth to everyone and inspire us to embrace a beautiful life in the new year, encouraging us to forge an even better future."

Shang added that these sci-fi titles are designed to spark imagination and creativity in both children and adults, encouraging innovation and paving the way for the future."

Director Lin Yongchang explained that in an effort to transcend the usual monotonous and bleak depictions of dystopia, the creative team crafted a vivid and colorful world for the film, emphasizing their goal to make it a joyful experience for families. In portraying Vick the logger, they aim to showcase the character's growth, demonstrating how an ordinary person can overcome difficulties and confront challenges.

"He represents everyone around us, which aligns perfectly with our storyline, especially when he asks, 'Can I be brave again?'" Lin said. "I hope his change of heart and newfound bravery can inspire courage and hope in those facing hardships."

Shang also underscored the film's focus on environmental issues, highlighting the urgent message it conveys. "We are witnessing increasingly frequent extreme weather and an alarming rise in global temperatures. The Antarctic glaciers are melting. If we continue to ignore these signs, we cannot guarantee what the world will look like in 100 years. Every decision we make today, whether good or bad, will impact future generations," she said.

Lin further noted the incorporation of Chinese cultural elements throughout the film, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds. "Our 'Boonie Bears' films carry the responsibility of telling great Chinese stories and showcasing our culture to the world," he said. The new installment will also be released internationally, although specific dates have not yet been announced.

A poster for "Boonie Bears: Future Reborn." [Image courtesy of Fantawild Animation]

In just over a decade, the ambitious film franchise launched in 2013 has grown from a budding concept into a major player, shifting from child-focused animal animation to action-packed family entertainment.

The first 10 theatrical releases have collectively grossed over 7.7 billion yuan ($1.06 billion), with last year's "Boonie Bears: Time Twist" earning a remarkable 1.98 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing installment to date. The franchise also includes 19 animated series, spanning about 2,000 episodes, which have been exported to more than 130 countries and broadcast on over 300 TV networks and platforms in multiple languages.