Few tales in the historical past of the world are as well-known or have been advised as many instances as the story of Solar Wukong. In reality, a brand new adaptation of the story, Black Fantasy: Wukong, is at the moment taking the world by storm, racking up record-breaking numbers on Steam. The sport is a beautiful retelling of the Chinese language legend, full with a few of the greatest action-RPG gameplay of the 12 months to this point. But when enjoying the sport has left you interested in the different methods this explicit legend has been advised, there are many movies that match the invoice.
We’ve collected a listing of a few of the greatest retellings of the Solar Wukong legend, in addition to a number of different movies that make an ideal thematic match for Black Fantasy, so you may keep on this legendary world lengthy after you’ve completed the sport.
For extra movies with legendary fantasy vibes, try our checklist of movies like Elden Ring. And for extra diversifications of Chinese language folklore, try our checklist of donghua to watch — many are primarily based on Chinese language mythic tales.
Monkey King: Hero is Again
What it’s: A crowdfunded animated film that turned China’s highest-grossing animated movie of 2015, Hero is Again follows Solar Wukong’s fall from energy and his highway journey with a toddler monk obsessive about the monkey king’s well-known feats.
The place to watch it: Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with advertisements on Tubi, or for digital rental/buy on Amazon
Picture: Choi Sing Movie Firm
What it’s: The good action-comedy star Stephen Chow will get his flip at Solar Wukong on this free adaptation of Journey to the West. It’s a two-parter – Pandora’s Field and Cinderella, adopted by a a lot delayed Half Three in 2016.
The place to watch it: Netflix, free of charge with advertisements on Tubi or Plex, or for digital buy on Amazon
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons
What it’s: Chow wasn’t content material with only one Journey to the West adaptation – after starring in A Chinese language Odyssey, he directed Conquering the Demons and it’s sequel, The Demons Strike Again. As typical for Chow’s movies, it balances slapstick humor and large set items for an entertaining time.
The place to watch it: Prime Video, free of charge with a library card on Kanopy, free with advertisements on Tubi and Pluto TV, or for digital rental/buy on Amazon and Apple
What it’s: Director Soi Cheang’s (SPL 2: A Time for Penalties; Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) trilogy of Solar Wukong movies. The primary stars Donnie Yen, whereas the latter two star Aaron Kwok. The primary one isn’t Cheang’s greatest work, however they’re excessive funds trendy diversifications of the story and the sequence will get higher because it goes alongside.
The place to watch it: Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with advertisements on Tubi and Plex, or for digital rental or buy on Apple and Amazon. The Monkey King 2 and 3 are each on Prime Video.
What it’s: The uncommon “Hollywood wuxia,” Forbidden Kingdom stars Jet Li as the Monkey King and Jackie Chan as Lu Yan. It’s also primarily a couple of child from Boston who’s obsessive about Journey to the West and wuxia, so your mileage might fluctuate.
The place to watch it: Without cost with advertisements on Pluto TV and Freevee, or accessible to lease on Amazon and Apple
What it’s: Tailored from a unique Sixteenth-century Chinese language novel, Ne Zha was a smash hit at the Chinese language field workplace and spawned a sequel, Legend of Deification. The film follows a boy with nice powers who’s the feared protector of his group, and options beautiful motion sequences.
The place to watch it: Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with advertisements on Plex, or for digital rental/buy on Amazon and Apple
What it’s: A extra trendy adaptation of the Nezha story, this one sees the mythic determine reborn as a motorbike-riding insurgent.
The place to watch it: Netflix
What it’s: A 2021 Chinese language fantasy action-adventure a couple of author whose fantasy novel appears to be having a mysterious influence on the actual world, and the man who has been despatched to kill him.
The place to watch it: Streaming on iQiyi, free with advertisements on FreeVee and Tubi, or accessible to lease on Google Play and Amazon.
Picture: Toei Animation by way of fancaps.web
What it’s: It’s Dragon Ball, duh. Nevertheless it’s an excuse to say Son Goku is predicated on Solar Wukong.
The place to watch it: Hulu, Crunchyroll
