The Sino-US coproduction is about a box of magical biscuits, which can transform humans into animals, such as the father-transformed tiger in the movie. (Photo:China Daily)

The Sino-US coproduction Magical Circus: Animal Crackers, featuring the voices of Sylvester Stallone and Ian McKellen in its English-dubbed version, will be unleashed in Chinese cinemas on July 21.

The film, mainly financed by Chinese investors, was nominated for the 20th Shanghai International Film Festival's Golden Goblet Award, its top honor.

The movie, directed by American animator Tony Bancroft, known for co-directing the 1998 Disney hit Mulan with Barry Cook, also features renowned artist Carter Goodrich, a double Annie winner for character design of The Croods and Ratatouille.

The film, centered on a family of three, is about their once dull and ordinary life which changes after inheriting a magical box containing biscuits which can transform humans into animals.

Pop singer Zhou Bichang, who sings the Mandarin theme song for the movie's Chinese-dubbed version, says the tale is about a family and dreams.

Magical Circus Animal Crackers, directed by Tony Bancroft, will hit Chinese theaters on July 27. (Photo:China Daily)