Theatre owners have been hailing 3-D as the next big thing for years. With a larger number of 3-D films reaching cinemas over the next 12 months or so, its time appears to have arrived. In our Spotlight today, we take a look at the 3-D movies currently popular in China and much-anticipated flicks around the world.

Disney-Pixar's summertime hit "Up" premiered in Beijing Tuesday. Tuesday is half-price day at theaters in the capital, and "Up" gained a successful box office return, selling out over 90 percent of its tickets for its premiere.

"Up" tells the story of Carl Fredricson, who meets a young adventure spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a Lost Land in South America. 70 years later Ellie dies. Determined to realize the dream, Carl Fredricson, together with 8-year-old Russell, fly his house away, embarking on an adventure in which Fredricson finally makes his dream come true.

3D has become the buzzword in town. Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, which is now on in cinemas across the country, entertains loyal Potter fans with a 17-minute long 3D movie clip displaying the charm of witchcraft and wizardry.

Ice Age 3, being screened in cinemas these days, continues the hilarity of creatures living in the frosty world. The first imported 3D animation this summer in China, Ice Age 3 has already gained a box office return of over a hundred million yuan in China.

Adding to the fray is a home-produced 3D movie "Chinese Idol Boys", slated for release at the end of August. And there are also "The Final Destination", and "G-Force" in the days to come.

3-D films have become the darling in the movie market both at home and abroad. "Avatar," James Cameron's first film since "Titanic", is due out in December. His movie cost over 230 million US dollars to make, and Cameron himself actually helped invent the technology he used to create it.