Movies like The Monkey King Conquers the Demon (1985)
The best movies like The Monkey King Conquers the Demon (1985) are Strings (2004), Hilda and the Mountain King (2021) and Waking Life (2001). If The Monkey King Conquers the Demon hooked you with its drama and fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedWildwood (2026)8.5/10 from 271 votes
- NewestWildwood (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseNezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979)Also in Chinese
Strings (2004)
The story of Prince Hal who sets out to avenge his dead father against the city's rivals, the Zeriths, little knowing it was his wicked uncle Nezo who is the real killer, with his own designs on the throne.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHilda and the Mountain King (2021)
When Hilda wakes up in the body of a troll, she must use her wits and courage to get back home, become human again — and save the city of Trolberg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWaking Life (2001)
Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979)
In Chentang Pass, Nezha, the magical son of General Li Jing, makes enemies with Ao Guang, the Dragon King of East Sea. When he is reported to heaven's court and his home is threatened, Nezha takes it upon himself to destroy the palace and defeat the dragons. A retelling of the classic chapters from Investiture of The Gods.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSuper Me (2021)
Sang Yu is so exhausted from trying to stay awake. Every time he closes his eyes, a demon chases and kills him in his dreams. One night Sang realizes he has a special power: he can bring treasures from his dreams into reality. Almost overnight, he becomes a rich man. But his wealth also attracts the attention of a ruthless gangster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven (1961)
Sun Wukong, the King of the Monkeys, sets off on his first adventure to gain a worthy weapon. This earns the attention of the Jade Emperor of Heaven.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWelcome to Smelliville (2021)
The Oggly family arrive at the municipal rubbish dump of Smelliville and must look for a new home, but they never feel really welcome anywhere. They stink and are for most humans just a tad too oggly. When Firebottom, the family dragon, crash-lands on the run-down rubbish tip of the small town of Smelliville, the Ogglies at once feel at home. And it's here they want to stay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Monkey King: Reborn (2021)
When the irritable monkey king visits a temple together with his master Tang Monk, he feels offended because of a trifle and thereupon accidentally destroys a magic tree growing on the sacred ground. This brings an ancient demon king back to life, who promptly kidnaps Tang Monk to take revenge for his long imprisonment. The monkey king and his followers have only three days to not only save their master but also to prevent the demon king from regaining his full powers and destroying the world…
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGreen Snake (2021)
While trying to free her sister from Fahai's clutches, Xiao Qing winds up in a dystopian city and meets a mysterious man who can't recall his past life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSecrets of the Heavenly Book (1983)
Yuangong, the deacon, opened the shrine and exposed the holy book to the human world. He is now punished to guard the book for life by the jade emperor for breaking heaven’s law. In order to pass this holy book to human beings, he would have to get by the antagonist fox.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (2025)
When human sailors are attacked by mysterious creatures of the deep, only one person can stop the war between land and sea: the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPinocchio (2009)
The enchanted story of Pinocchio.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Shepherd (2023)
On Christmas Eve, a fighter pilot on his way home becomes lost while flying over water and needs a miracle to land safely.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)
Van, the brave son of a tooth fairy leader, meets the goblins girl Gemma on his first mission. Despite the myths about ancient disputes between fairies and goblins, they share common values. When the greedy Spider Queen threatens both tribes, they must work together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPainted Skin: The Resurrection (2012)
According to demon lore, it takes hundreds of years to attain human form. Even then, lacking a human heart, a demon cannot experience the true pains and passions of existence. However, there is a legend that if a pure human heart is freely offered to a demon, it can become a mortal and experience true life. Sequel of Painted Skin (2008).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisPrimal: Tales of Savagery (2019)
Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal: Tales of Savagery features a caveman and a dinosaur on the brink of extinction. Bonded by tragedy, this unlikely friendship becomes the only hope of survival.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Sun Also Rises (2007)
A polyptych of interconnected stories in different time-zones, shifting between a Yunnan village, a campus, and the Gobi Desert.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster High: Frights, Camera, Action! (2014)
When Draculaura is led to believe she's the rightful heir to the vampire throne, she and her best ghoulfriends are whisked away to Transylvania for a royal coronation to die for. But they soon discover the hunt for the queen is not over yet. The Ghouls must locate an ancient artifact known as the Vampire's Heart in order to discover the identity of the true Vampire Queen. It's a fangtastic adventure that will lead them from the Tower of Londoom, to a haunted river boat in New Goreleans and finally to the glamorous boo-vie lots of Hauntlywood. Could this be the moment when Draculara finally receives her vampire powers and discovers screams really can come true?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Legend of Hei 2 (2025)
When an attack shatters the fragile peace between the spirit world and humanity, Hei teams up with Luye, the last disciple of his Shifu Wuxian, to expose a conspiracy that threatens both realms - and the bond they've sworn to protect.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWildwood (2026)
Prue and her classmate Curtis are drawn into a magical forest filled with enchanted creatures, loyal allies, and formidable adversaries as they embark on a desperate quest to rescue Prue's abducted baby brother from a murder of crows led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAlakazam the Great! (1960)
A monkey king who learns the secrets of magic goes on a spree and causes no end of aggravation for the gods, who finally imprison him. In order to make up for all the trouble he's caused, he is sent on a mission to accompany a prince who is the son of the gods on a journey through a land filled with dangers, monsters, cannibals and demons.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Scarlet Boy (1962)
He is sent by the gods to do battle with the monkey King who is up to more magical mischief than is good for him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & fantasy
Battles with the Red Boy (1972)
Shaw Brothers starlet Tien stars as the mythical deity Red Boy. He is sent by the gods to do battle with the monkey King who is up to more magical mischief than is good for him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & animation
Doraemon: The Record of Nobita's Parallel Journey to the West (1988)
As Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo are auditioning for a role in their school's play based on "Journey to the West", the coveted role of Son Goku is hotly contested. After suggesting that the real Great Sage Equal to Heaven should play himself, knowing that the story is only a legend, Nobita and Doraemon go back in time to find their own fake Monkey King, but arrive in present day with the story's demons having taken over the world. The only way for things to go back to normal is for Nobita and pals to reenact the tale...for real!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself travelling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHavoc in Dragon Palace (2019)
Because of the drought around the world, Mountain Huaguo with a water source is harassed by powerful monsters around. To investigate the cause of the drought and also obtain a suitable weapon to fight the powerful monsters, Sun Wukong and his good friend Chikaoma Monkey participate in the Treasure Competition in the East Sea, but they get involved in an intrigue. With the Little Dragon Princess' help, Sun Wukong defeats the evil dragon Aoluan that wants to destroy the human world, gets the Ruyijingu Cudgel, and saves the human world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
The Monkey King 2 (2016)
Taking place 500 years after the Havoc in Heaven, the Tang Priest is appointed by Buddha to go to the West to fetch the sacred scriptures, only to accidentally free the Monkey King. With Lady White aiming to break up the team assembled to defeat her, the Monkey King must fight in order to save his world!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Monkey King (1940)
A legendary pre-war comedy operetta starring Enomoto Kenichi, Hideko Takamine and Li Xianglan. The Sanzo Ikkou continues its westward journey, on a mission to prevent a demonic resurrection. As Genjo Sanzo, Cho Hakkai, Sha Gojyo, and Son Goku (Kenichi Enomoto) fight their way to their goal, their path is fraught with internal strife.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Monkey Magic (2007)
Journey to the West comes to the big screen like never before in the 2007 film Saiyuuki! Also known as Monkey Magic and Adventures of the Super Monkey, this is the latest in a long line of adaptations of the Wu Cheng'en tome.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
The Monkey King (2014)
Sun Wukong is a monkey born from a heavenly stone who acquires supernatural powers. After rebelling against heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain for 500 years, he later accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India. Thus, according to legend, Buddhism is brought to ancient China.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Monkey King Conquers the Demon?
The closest matches to The Monkey King Conquers the Demon are Strings (2004), Hilda and the Mountain King (2021) and Waking Life (2001). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Monkey King Conquers the Demon?
Start with Strings (2004), the closest match to The Monkey King Conquers the Demon.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Monkey King Conquers the Demon?
Wildwood (2026), rated 8.5/10 by 271 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Monkey King Conquers the Demon?
Wildwood (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like The Monkey King Conquers the Demon?
Yes: Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979), Super Me (2021) and The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven (1961).
How are movies similar to The Monkey King Conquers the Demon chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Monkey King Conquers the Demon, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.