Updates on Light Chaser Animation’s Next Film, Curious Tales of a Temple or should that be Strange Tales?

Release Date:
July 12, 2025

Light Chaser Animation might want to stick to one name for their next film rather than come up with variants. When I was checking in to see if there’s any new content for Curious Tales of a Temple, I found Strange Tales: Lan Ruo Temple too! That’s mostly because this studio is using both and listed the latter as an alternate title. I suspect that a different translator is figuring it out every time a new video is offered.

I prefer the original, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (which was used in the announcement trailer) from which this latest is taking ideas from.

When there are over 100 short stories contained within, to decide on which tale to adapt may well be with less than six pieces–or they’ll come fast and furious, told during one summer’s night over a campfire. Whatever the case, I’m excited about this take and hope there are plans for an international release. The last two films got a very limited run; even though I had to wait, I finally saw Chang’n and White Snake: Afloat. When I checked in on who is distributing, it seems to be some from a Chinese company rather than Well Go USA.

I’m looking forward to this release because not only will there be a condensed retelling of A Chinese Ghost Story but also some other tales too. While I don’t think the former needs a CGI remake, I’ll still watch it. That’s because there are moments which honours Tsui Hark / Sam Raimi’s love for low ground sweeping camera movements when the terror approaches.

Also, other segments suggest more lighthearted moments with kids running away from softer horrors. Whether it’s all about the birds and the bees, I’m uncertain! Not everything is going to be terrifying, and that will be terrific as this work will debut before the Hungry Ghost Festival in August. In the meantime, I will have to read the paperback edition again (Amazon link). Offered for fans are all the trailers I could find on YouTube.

Curious Tales of a Temple – All The Trailers So Far

Director Yuemei Cui, Yuan Liu, Junwei Xie, Jing Zou, Heyu Huang, Yilin Liu
Starring Lifeng Lu, Qiang Lin, He Zhang, Ziping Chen
Original Title 聊斋：兰若寺
Alternative Title Strange Tales: Lan Ruo Temple
Country of Origin China

Author: Ed Sum

I'm a freelance videographer and entertainment journalist (Absolute Underground Magazine, Two Hungry Blokes, and Otaku no Culture) with a wide range of interests. From archaeology to popular culture to paranormal studies, there's no stone unturned. Digging for the past and embracing "The Future" is my mantra. View all posts by Ed Sum