Image: Netflix

Netflix has seen some excellent Chinese animated feature films arrive in recent years, and one we can expect sometime in 2023 is Netflix’s adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese tale of Journey to the West. We’ll keep track of everything you need to know about the monkey kingwhich includes cast news, production updates, trailers, and the Netflix release date.

the monkey king is an upcoming Netflix Original animated adventure film directed by antonio stacchi and an adaptation of the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West. steve bencich and Ron J Friedman wrote the script.

Was first announced in 2017 along with five other Pearl Studio film projects. The project was then attached to Netflix in 2021 and tentatively scheduled for release in 2023. It was attached to Netflix along with mechanical cadet and blessings and cursesthe latter of which is no longer moving forward on Netflix.

The main animation studio behind the monkey king is Pearl Studio, based in Shanghai, China. They are a subsidiary of DreamWorks Animation, founded in 2012, and have worked on projects like Kung Fu Panda. For Netflix, they worked on On the moon.

Netflix Animation is also attached to the project with Star Overseas, Reel FX Animation Studios and Tangent Animation also attached.

peilin chou and Kendra Haaland act as producers of the film, with Stephen Chow He is listed as executive producer. toby chu he acts as a composer on the project.

Chow, when the project was first attached to Netflix, said:

“The Monkey King has endured for generations with its unique character and spirit. I am so excited to collaborate with Tony, Peilin and everyone at Netflix to bring this joyous story to audiences around the world!”

the monkey king netflix animation

Image: Netflix


When is the Netflix release date for the monkey king?

An exact release date has yet to be announced for the monkey kingalthough in January 2023 it was confirmed that it was among the 2023 release list.

With the movie now rated, we expect it to be released imminently.

It is unclear if the film will receive a limited theatrical release.


What is the plot of the monkey king?

the monkey king will follow the rhythms and is based on the beloved Chinese story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King from the Journey to the West tale.

Netflix describes the project as follows:

“The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a monkey and his magical fighting staff as they team up on an epic quest that comes face to face with gods, demons, dragons and the greatest enemy of all, monkey. own ego!”

About him movie netflix page (where you can set a reminder for when it’s posted), the description is as follows:

“After the Dragon King steals his staff, the Monkey King goes on a quest to get it back. But his biggest enemy turns out to be his own pride.

the monkey king netflix journey to the west

The Monkey King source material


Who are the cast members of the monkey king?

It seems that the monkey king will feature a talented cast of voice actors that we can’t wait to see in action.

Some familiar faces and voices will star in the show, including BD Wong, who reprized his role as Dr. Henry Wu in Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Hsu previously starred in a Netflix Original episode of The unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt but is now best known for starring in the Oscar-winning film Everything everywhere at once.

On May 20, 2021, Netflix’s Family social account noted that the film would be feature an Asian voice cast.

the monkey king netflix anime cast

Cast grid for Netflix’s The Monkey King

Below is the full cast of the monkey king:

  • Jimmy O Yang (space force, patriots day) as Monkey King
  • Stephanie Hsu (Everything everywhere at once, The wonderful Mrs. Maisel) as the mayor’s wife.
  • BD Wong (Jurassic Park) as Buddha
  • jodi long (Hot girl) as Wangman
  • hoon lee (Warrior) as Jade Emperor
  • Jolie Hoang Rappaport (Watchers) like lin
  • andres pang (alaskan journal) as mayor
  • bowen yang (high maintenance) as Dragon King
  • jo koy like benbo
  • rum yuan (Mulan) like babbo
  • james sie (Still water) as old monkey
  • andres kishino (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as Yama

What will be the age rating of the monkey king?

On March 15, 2023, the film received a PG rating from the AMPwith the age rating stating that it was “Rated PG for action/violence and brief
thematic material”.

On Netflix, the movie will have a TV-Y7 rating.


For more on Netflix’s upcoming slate of animated movies, check out our preview of upcoming titles, including The Wizard’s Elephant, Nimona, Lion, Bikini Bottom Saver, and much more.

are you excited to see the monkey king on netflix? Let us know in the comments below!