Seeking Sun Wukong films after Black Myth: Wukong? This Journey to the West watchlist spans Monkey King movies, mythic fantasy, and more.
I still remember the first time I saw Sun Wukong leap off the page — and then, years later, off the screen. The Monkey King is one of those characters who refuses to stay in one story. In 2024, Black Myth: Wukong turned that legend into a gorgeous action-RPG and broke Steam records. Now, in 2026, I’m still seeing new players discover it. If you’ve finished the game and you’re hungry for more tales of the Monkey King — or just more Chinese mythic fantasy — I’ve got you. I pulled together a watchlist of films that retell Journey to the West, remix Sun Wukong, or scratch the same mythic itch. Grab some snacks, because this is a long, wild pilgrimage. 🐒
Monkey King: Hero is Back (2015)
I’ll start with a crowd-funded underdog that became a giant. Monkey King: Hero is Back was China’s highest-grossing animated film of 2015, and it still holds up. The story follows Sun Wukong after his fall from power, stuck on a road trip with a child monk who worships him. It’s funny, warm, and has action that made me cheer. If you liked the game’s quieter moments between god-sized fights, this one is for you. You can find it free with a library card on Hoopla, free with ads on Tubi, or for digital rental/purchase on Amazon.
A Chinese Odyssey
Stephen Chow is a legend, and his take on Sun Wukong is delightfully weird. A Chinese Odyssey is a loose adaptation split into two parts — Pandora’s Box and Cinderella — with a much-delayed Part Three arriving in 2016. It’s action-comedy with Chow’s signature slapstick, and it treats the mythology with irreverence and love. I laughed, I got confused, I laughed again. Streaming on Netflix, free with ads on Tubi or Plex, or digital purchase on Amazon.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013) and The Demons Strike Back
Chow wasn’t done. After starring in A Chinese Odyssey, he directed Conquering the Demons and its sequel, The Demons Strike Back. These films balance slapstick humor with big, colorful set pieces. They’re not strict adaptations, but they capture the chaotic energy of a pilgrimage full of demons. I’d watch them as a double feature. Available on Prime Video, free with a library card on Kanopy, free with ads on Tubi and Pluto TV, or digital rental/purchase on Amazon and Apple.
The Monkey King Trilogy
Director Soi Cheang made a trilogy of Sun Wukong movies: The Monkey King (2014), The Monkey King 2 (2016), and The Monkey King 3 (2018). The first stars Donnie Yen, while the latter two star Aaron Kwok. I’ll be honest: the first one isn’t Cheang’s best work. But they are high-budget modern adaptations, and the series gets better as it goes. By the third film, the visual imagination is genuinely impressive. You can watch the first free with a library card on Hoopla, free with ads on Tubi and Plex, or rent/purchase on Apple and Amazon. The second and third are on Prime Video.
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
This is the rare “Hollywood wuxia,” and it stars Jet Li as the Monkey King and Jackie Chan as Lu Yan. The plot focuses on a Boston kid obsessed with Journey to the West and wuxia, so your mileage may vary. But come on — Jet Li and Jackie Chan in a mythic martial arts adventure? I had a blast. It’s free with ads on Pluto TV and Freevee, or available to rent on Amazon and Apple.
Nezha (2019)
Sun Wukong isn’t the only Chinese mythic figure worth following. Nezha is adapted from a different 16th-century novel, and it was a smash hit at the Chinese box office. It spawned a sequel, Legend of Deification. The movie follows a boy with great powers who becomes the feared protector of his community, and the action sequences are stunning. If you want more animated Chinese fantasy after Hero is Back, this is a must. Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with ads on Plex, or digital rental/purchase on Amazon and Apple.
New Gods: Nezha Reborn
A more modern adaptation of the Nezha story, this one sees the mythic figure reborn as a motorbike-riding rebel. It’s on Netflix. I love how it mixes ancient myth with cyberpunk-ish style. It’s not a Sun Wukong story, but it has the same rebellious spirit.
A Writer’s Odyssey (2021)
This 2021 Chinese fantasy action-adventure is about a writer whose fantasy novel seems to have a mysterious impact on the real world, and the man sent to kill him. It’s not Journey to the West, but it’s a perfect thematic match for Black Myth: Wukong — gods, monsters, and reality-bending action. Streaming on iQiyi, free with ads on FreeVee and Tubi, or available to rent on Google Play and Amazon.
Dragon Ball
Okay, it’s Dragon Ball. Duh. But it’s an excuse to say that Son Goku is based on Sun Wukong. If you grew up with Goku, you already know. If you didn’t, this is the most famous remix of the Monkey King in anime. Watch on Hulu or Crunchyroll.
Quick Watchlist Table
| Film | Why I recommend it | Where I found it |
|---|---|---|
| Monkey King: Hero is Back | Heartfelt animated road trip | Hoopla, Tubi, Amazon |
| A Chinese Odyssey | Stephen Chow’s wild comedy | Netflix, Tubi, Plex, Amazon |
| Conquering the Demons / The Demons Strike Back | Slapstick demon-hunting | Prime Video, Kanopy, Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon, Apple |
| The Monkey King trilogy | Big-budget mythic action | Hoopla, Tubi, Plex, Apple, Amazon, Prime Video |
| The Forbidden Kingdom | Jet Li + Jackie Chan | Pluto TV, Freevee, Amazon, Apple |
| Nezha | Stunning animated rebellion | Hoopla, Plex, Amazon, Apple |
| New Gods: Nezha Reborn | Motorbike mythic punk | Netflix |
| A Writer’s Odyssey | Reality-bending fantasy | iQiyi, FreeVee, Tubi, Google Play, Amazon |
| Dragon Ball | The anime Monkey King remix | Hulu, Crunchyroll |
Final Thoughts
So there you go. If Black Myth: Wukong left you wanting more, you have a whole pilgrimage ahead of you. I’d start with Monkey King: Hero is Back for a warm animated adventure, then go to A Chinese Odyssey for the weird comedy, and finish with Nezha or Dragon Ball depending on your mood. 🍿 The Monkey King has been retold for centuries, and in 2026 he’s still leaping across screens. Enjoy the journey. ⚔️