Few tales within the historical past of the world are as well-known or have been instructed as many occasions as the story of Solar Wukong. In reality, a brand new adaptation of the story, Black Fantasy: Wukong, is at present 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 number of the finest action-RPG gameplay of the yr to this point. But when taking part in the sport has left you interested by the opposite methods this specific legend has been instructed, there are many films that match the invoice.
We’ve collected a listing of a number of the finest retellings of the Solar Wukong legend, in addition to a couple of different films 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 films with legendary fantasy vibes, take a look at our record of films like Elden Ring. And for extra diversifications of Chinese language folklore, take a look at our record of donghua to observe — many are primarily based on Chinese language mythic tales.
Monkey King: Hero is Again
Picture: United Leisure Companions by way of Everett Assortment
What it’s: A crowdfunded animated film that grew to become China’s highest-grossing animated movie of 2015, Hero is Again follows Solar Wukong’s fall from energy and his highway journey with a baby monk obsessive about the monkey king’s well-known feats.
The place to observe 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 nice 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 observe it: Netflix, totally free 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 standard for Chow’s films, it balances slapstick humor and massive set items for an entertaining time.
The place to observe it: Prime Video, totally free 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 films. The primary stars Donnie Yen, whereas the latter two star Aaron Kwok. The primary one isn’t Cheang’s finest work, however they’re excessive funds fashionable diversifications of the story and the sequence will get higher because it goes alongside.
The place to observe 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 because the Monkey King and Jackie Chan as Lu Yan. It’s also primarily a few child from Boston who’s obsessive about Journey to the West and wuxia, so your mileage might differ.
The place to observe it: At no cost with advertisements on Pluto TV and Freevee, or accessible to hire on Amazon and Apple
What it’s: Tailored from a unique Sixteenth-century Chinese language novel, Ne Zha was a smash hit on the Chinese language field workplace and spawned a sequel, Legend of Deification. The film follows a boy with nice powers who’s the dreaded protector of his neighborhood, and options beautiful motion sequences.
The place to observe 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 fashionable adaptation of the Nezha story, this one sees the mythic determine reborn as a motorbike-riding insurgent.
The place to observe it: Netflix
What it’s: A 2021 Chinese language fantasy action-adventure a few author whose fantasy novel appears to be having a mysterious influence on the true world, and the person who has been despatched to kill him.
The place to observe it: Streaming on iQiyi, free with advertisements on FreeVee and Tubi, or accessible to hire on Google Play and Amazon.
Picture: Toei Animation by way of fancaps.web
What it’s: It’s Dragon Ball, duh. But it surely’s an excuse to say Son Goku is predicated on Solar Wukong.
The place to observe it: Hulu, Crunchyroll