A lineup of highly anticipated new productions is set to debut on film and TV screens this summer, offering audiences an audio-visual feast in the coming months.

"Sing! Asia," the latest cross-border variety show, airs on Dragon TV and iQiyi every Sunday night at 9pm. This singing competition brings together promising new-generation singers from across Asia to showcase their talents aboard a cruise ship visiting various Asian countries.

Renowned singers Jane Zhang and Jeff Chang serve as the primary judges, while an international panel of over 20 veteran music producers votes on each matchup.

Nature documentary series "The Americas," which is narrated by celebrated actor Tom Hanks, with music scored by Hans Zimmer, will start to air at 11pm on Tuesdays, starting from July 15.

Featuring wildlife from across the American continents, North and South, the 10-episode documentary series explores and showcases the wonders, secrets and fragilities of America.

It took the crew five years to produce the series with cutting-edge technology like drones and high-resolution film cameras. Over 180 expeditions were made for filming to highlight the continents' spectacular landscapes and extraordinary wildlife stories. The 11th extra episode is "behind-the-scenes" showcasing how the the documentary was made.

Summer vacation is also an important screening slot for movies. In July, the lineup is ready to satisfy every movie buff's expectation whether they're looking for an action-packed blockbuster, a suspense film with plot twists, a heartwarming animated film or an emotional drama.

To date, ticket sales for the summer slot screenings have already surpassed 2.5 billion yuan (US$349 million). More than 100 film productions, covering a wide range of science fiction, animation and suspense, are slated for release this summer, providing abundant options for audiences with diverse tastes..

The followings are some of the eagerly awaited flicks this month.

"Jurassic World: Rebirth"

Release date: July 2

Directed by Gareth Edwards, the seventh installment in the "Jurassic Park" film franchise stars Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, who recently attended the film's China premiere at the Shanghai Film Art Center.

Set to the backdrop of five years post-"Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022), the film follows the adventurous journey of an expedition team at the isolated equatorial regions. They try to extract DNA from massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.

"A Cool Fish 2"

Release date: July 5

Set in Thailand, the comedy crime film by Rao Xiaozhi stars Zhang Yu and Ren Suxi as small potatoes who are unexpectedly involved in a criminal gang's kidnapping.

The kidnapping captures global attention in the form of a thrilling live broadcast. The group of ordinary people use their wit and distinctive methods to tackle the life-and-death situation.

"Superman"

Release date: July 11

Directed by James Gunn, the sci-fi blockbuster based on the famous character from DC Comics is the second reboot of the "Superman" film series. Starring David Corenswet as a complex and multifaceted Superman, the movie revolves around Superman's journey to reconcile his alien heritage with his adoptive human family.

In this film, director Gunn also creates a new world where diverse heroes coexist. Iconic DC superheroes like Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern will make appearances, joining forces with Superman to save the world.

"Liaozhai: Lanruo Temple"

Release date: July 12

The animated feature is the latest offering of Light Chaser Animation Studios after four years of production. Based on the ancient Chinese literature classic "Strange Stories From A Chinese Studio," the fantasy animation features six stories of varied styles of Oriental aesthetics.

When Pu Songling, the author of "Strange Stories From A Chinese Studio," stays overnight at Lanruo Temple, he is caught by two monsters and taken to the bottom of an ancient well to judge whether the stories are good or bad.

"The Lychee Road"

Release date: July 25

Directed by Da Peng, the film is adapted from Ma Boyong's hit novel of the same name. The film follows a minor official from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) who undertakes the impossible task of delivering lychees over a thousand miles.

The film features grand and elegant ancient Chinese architecture, bustling marketplaces, and dignified Buddha statues. The costumes and makeup, reminiscent of mural art, highlight the film's aesthetic and craftsmanship.

"Let the Music Fly"

Release date: July 25

The comedy drama film helmed by veteran actor Jiang Wen centers on a young man who leaves home with his father to pursue his musical dream. In the United States, they overcome hardships along the journey and present a life-changing piano performance.

The story is told from a creative perspective, blending dark humor with a sharp critique and in-depth reflection on the true meaning of success.

"The Fantastic Four: First Steps"

Release date: July 25

Directed by Matt Shakman, the American superhero film set in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world is the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is also a reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise.

In the film with stunning visuals, the Fantastic Four face the challenge of protecting Earth from a ravenous planet-devouring cosmic god and his enigmatic Herald.

"731"

Release date: July 31

The film by Zhao Linshan, starring Jiang Wu and Wang Zhiwen, is set against the backdrop of the bacterial experiments conducted by the Japanese Imperial Army's Unit 731 in northeast China starting from 1933, and reveals the unit's crimes through the turbulent fate of an ordinary individual.

Unit 731 harmed more than 3,000 people in China and committed countless crimes. This period of history will be depicted on the silver screen with a wealth of valuable footage.

Where and how to buy tickets:

Online movie tickets can be purchased on Taopiaopiao and Maoyan. Movie buffs can also buy tickets at the theaters.

How to Buy Movie Tickets Using Alipay:

Purchasing discounted movie tickets through Alipay is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Enable the Built-in Translation Tool:

Open Alipay and go to Me > Settings > General > Translation Tool.

Select your target language. Currently, Alipay supports 15 languages, including Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

2. Search for Cinemas:

On the home screen, use the search bar to type "Cinema".

Browse and select the movie ticketing mini-program you prefer, then proceed to purchase tickets online.

If the page is in Chinese, tap the floating Translation button to convert it into your selected language.

And that's it! Buying movie tickets has never been so simple. Try it out and enjoy the experience of booking like a local!