The 3-D thrillerThe Ghouls, starring Shu Qi (left) and Chen Kun, is adapted from a best-selling online novel. Photo provided to China Daily

A total of 114 online novels were bought to be adapted into screen productions by the end of last year, thanks to their popularity among Web users, Xinhua News Agency reports.

Among them, 90 works are to be adapted into TV productions and 24 are likely kept for the big screen.

The TV series He Yi Sheng Xiao Mo, or My Sunshine, for instance, adapted from the 2003 namesake online novel, topped audience ratings in January. Its movie adaptation, Silent Separation, revolving around a couple's seven-year separation and reunion, will be released on the mainland on May 1.

The list also includes The Lost Tomb TV series and movie franchises, based on the hit namesake online novel depicting the adventures of grave robbers, and The Ghouls, a 3-D thriller adapted from a best-selling online novel of the same title.

The Legend of Zhen Huan, inspired by a popular online novel on the country's former imperial rulers, will be made into a movie, Beijing Galloping Horse Media announced in Hong Kong on March 25.

"The big numbers show that a mature market is developing in China," says Wang Chen, general manager of Beijing-based film and TV series producer HS Media, which has purchased more than 10 popular online novels since 2011.

The genre of online fiction has accumulated legions of fans, saving resources that moviemakers must otherwise spend on promotional activities, Wang says.

But some experts caution that popularity could also be a double-edged sword.