Few stories in the history of the world are as famous or have been told as many times as the tale of Sun Wukong. In fact, a new adaptation of the story, Black Myth: Wukong, is currently taking the world by storm, racking up record-breaking numbers on Steam. The game is a gorgeous retelling of the Chinese legend, complete with some of the best action-RPG gameplay of the year so far. But if playing the game has left you curious about the other ways this particular legend has been told, there are plenty of movies that fit the bill.
We’ve collected a list of some of the best retellings of the Sun Wukong legend, as well as a few other movies that make a perfect thematic match for Black Myth, so you can stay in this legendary world long after you’ve finished the game.
For more movies with mythical fantasy vibes, check out our list of movies like Elden Ring. And for more adaptations of Chinese folklore, check out our list of donghua to watch — many are based on Chinese mythic tales.
Monkey King: Hero is Back
Image: United Entertainment Partners via Everett Collection
What it is: A crowdfunded animated movie that became China’s highest-grossing animated film of 2015, Hero is Back follows Sun Wukong’s fall from power and his road trip with a child monk obsessed with the monkey king’s famous feats.
Where to watch it: Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with ads on Tubi, or for digital rental/purchase on Amazon
Image: Choi Sing Film Company
What it is: The great action-comedy star Stephen Chow gets his turn at Sun Wukong in this loose adaptation of Journey to the West. It’s a two-parter – Pandora’s Box and Cinderella, followed by a much delayed Part Three in 2016.
Where to watch it: Netflix, for free with ads on Tubi or Plex, or for digital purchase on Amazon
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons
What it is: Chow wasn’t content with just one Journey to the West adaptation – after starring in A Chinese Odyssey, he directed Conquering the Demons and it’s sequel, The Demons Strike Back. As usual for Chow’s movies, it balances slapstick humor and big set pieces for an entertaining time.
Where to watch it: Prime Video, for free with a library card on Kanopy, free with ads on Tubi and Pluto TV, or for digital rental/purchase on Amazon and Apple
What it is: Director Soi Cheang’s (SPL 2: A Time for Consequences; Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) trilogy of Sun Wukong movies. The first stars Donnie Yen, while the latter two star Aaron Kwok. The first one isn’t Cheang’s best work, but they are high budget modern adaptations of the story and the series gets better as it goes along.
Where to watch it: Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with ads on Tubi and Plex, or for digital rental or purchase on Apple and Amazon. The Monkey King 2 and 3 are both on Prime Video.
What it is: The rare “Hollywood wuxia,” Forbidden Kingdom stars Jet Li as the Monkey King and Jackie Chan as Lu Yan. It is also primarily about a kid from Boston who is obsessed with Journey to the West and wuxia, so your mileage may vary.
Where to watch it: For free with ads on Pluto TV and Freevee, or available to rent on Amazon and Apple
What it is: Adapted from a different 16th-century Chinese novel, Ne Zha was a smash hit at the Chinese box office and spawned a sequel, Legend of Deification. The movie follows a boy with great powers who is the feared protector of his community, and features stunning action sequences.
Where to watch it: Free with a library card on Hoopla, free with ads on Plex, or for digital rental/purchase on Amazon and Apple
What it is: A more modern adaptation of the Nezha story, this one sees the mythic figure reborn as a motorbike-riding rebel.
Where to watch it: Netflix
What it is: A 2021 Chinese fantasy action-adventure about a writer whose fantasy novel seems to be having a mysterious impact on the real world, and the man who has been sent to kill him.
Where to watch it: Streaming on iQiyi, free with ads on FreeVee and Tubi, or available to rent on Google Play and Amazon.
Image: Toei Animation via fancaps.net
What it is: It’s Dragon Ball, duh. But it’s an excuse to say Son Goku is based on Sun Wukong.
Where to watch it: Hulu, Crunchyroll
