Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- playful
- uplifting
- warm
- family movie night
- weekend afternoon
What critics said
Critics and audiences broadly responded positively to its energetic folklore-based adventure, emotional warmth, and importance as a major Chinese animated success.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The imprisoned Monkey King is encouraged by Jiang Liuer to protect the village and recover his heroic identity.
The film draws on Sun Wukong and Journey to the West traditions while presenting them through a child-friendly animated action narrative.
The Monkey King, celestial punishment, monsters, magical imprisonment, and Buddhist-inflected mythology place the film within a xianxia-influenced tradition.
The story moves between an ice cage deep in the mountains, supernatural realms, and a village threatened by monsters, supporting large-scale fantasy imagery.
Films like Monkey King: Hero Is Back, and why
Ne Zha
mythological animated adventure combining comic energy, family warmth, and a young hero's bond with a powerful protector
White Snake
stylized chinese fantasy animation rooted in folklore, with action spectacle, irreverent humor, and redemptive character growth
Kung Fu Panda
family-friendly animated fantasy adventure featuring legendary heroes, comic side characters, and visually dynamic battles
The Legend of Hei
folkloric adventure built around an impulsive supernatural hero, a child-centered emotional bond, and playful action comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Tian Xiaopeng
- Release Date
- 2015-07-10
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (305)
Cast
- Zhang Lei
- Lin Zijie
- Wu Wenlun
- Tong Zirong
- Liu Jiurong
- Wu Di
- Liu Beichen
- Zhao Qianjing
- Zhou Shuai
- Kuixing Teng
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Monkey King: Hero Is Back about?
- A mischievous child awakens a disgraced Monkey King whose reclaimed power becomes the village’s only defense against monstrous forces.
- What is Monkey King: Hero Is Back like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Monkey King: Hero Is Back as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Monkey King: Hero Is Back violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Monkey King: Hero Is Back as moderate.
- What did critics think of Monkey King: Hero Is Back?
- Critics and audiences broadly responded positively to its energetic folklore-based adventure, emotional warmth, and importance as a major Chinese animated success.
- Which films are like Monkey King: Hero Is Back?
- Films with a similar feel include Ne Zha, White Snake, Kung Fu Panda, and The Legend of Hei.
- How long is Monkey King: Hero Is Back?
- Monkey King: Hero Is Back runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Monkey King: Hero Is Back?
- In United States, Monkey King: Hero Is Back streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
