Film 'Knockout' set for online release in China

"Knockout," a new Chinese-language action film starring popular young actor Han Geng, has opted for an online release in China as most movie theaters remain closed due to the coronavirus epidemic.

It will be available on the online streaming platform iQiyi starting from April 20, according to a Wednesday announcement by iQiyi that comes with a trailer for the film.

"Knockout" tells the story of a former boxing champion who returns to the boxing ring after his release from prison to fulfill a promise to his daughter.

In China, while many films postpone their theatrical release due to the epidemic, some opt for online release.

A recent survey showed that Chinese people have watched more movies on average over the last two months than the same period in previous years as they spent more time at home amid the epidemic.

According to the survey of 1,530 respondents by the China Film Association and Maoyan, a leading film database and ticketing platform, each respondent watched an average of six films outside of cinemas in March and seven in February.