Television series
LEGO Monkie Kid
LEGO Monkie Kid is a vibrant action-adventure series that remixes the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West for a new generation. It's zippy, gorgeously animated in LEGO's signature style, and balances genuine stakes with goofy humour. Perfect for kids who like their heroes scrappy and their worlds alive with colour and invention.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you enjoy bright, bouncy kids' fantasy where Journey to the West myths get remixed into LEGO-style slapstick, with a gang of friends who banter as fast as they brawl.
Skip it if you want a grown-up story with real stakes and slow-burn character work; at roughly eleven minutes an episode, it moves quickly and leans on jokes and set-piece action.
What it asks of you: Short episodes stacked across five seasons, so it rewards a steady binge rather than a single sitting, and asks little more than a willingness to let the chaos wash over you.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu2012
Same studio, same energy—a team of unlikely kids discovers magical powers and learns to work together against increasingly wild threats. The humour lands for adults too, and the character development across seasons is genuinely satisfying.
But Starts slow and lean. If you need spectacle immediately, the early episodes feel thin compared to Monkie Kid's production values.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts2020
Adventurous kid, found family, gorgeous world-building, and a quest through a post-apocalyptic landscape full of wonder instead of dread. The optimism is earned, never saccharine. Netflix gave it three perfect seasons and stuck the landing.
But Slower pacing in places. Some viewers find the emotional beats laid on thicker than they'd prefer.
Amphibia2019
A girl gets transported to a frog world and has to learn to lead a ragtag crew. Deceptively charming at first, then becomes genuinely moving. The show trusts its audience and builds to something with real weight.
But Early episodes feel very gentle. It takes time to reveal what it's actually doing.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from LEGO Monkie Kid
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Kung Fu Panda 32016
Both adapt Chinese martial arts mythology for a global audience while respecting the source material's spiritual and philosophical weight. The Monkey King and Po share the same journey: reluctant hero, goofy exterior, genuine wisdom underneath.
The third one finally trusts its emotional centre and delivers something with real thematic meat about accepting yourself and passing on what you know. Visually sumptuous, genuinely moving, and the villain's motivation is complicated.
But Pure animated spectacle with minimal dialogue in places. If you need constant plot momentum and gags, the meditative stretches will feel slow.
More like this (6)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power2018
Orphan discovers her destiny and gathers an army of misfits to fight an occupation force. Visually stunning, funny, and the character work is meticulous. Every supporting character gets a full arc.
But The first season is 13 minutes per episode and feels introductory. You need to commit to season two to see what it's building.
Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake2023
Funny and surreal, with a post-apocalyptic world that feels alive and genuinely weird. Starts as comedy but becomes something with real thematic depth about growing up, responsibility, and loss.
But The art style is deliberately crude and off-model. Takes several episodes to find its voice, and some jokes are very specific.
Craig of the Creek2018
Wholesome without being bland. Kids solving mysteries and having adventures in their creek with genuine friendship dynamics and clever writing. It's comfort viewing that actually respects its audience's intelligence.
But Very deliberately low-stakes and gentle. If you want constant action and escalation, this will feel sluggish.
Infinity Train2019
A mysterious train with infinite cars, each one a puzzle or trap or wonder. High concept, visually inventive, and unafraid to get weird. Each season stands alone but rewards close attention.
But The tone shifts between seasons. Some find the shift to darker material and serial storytelling jarring after the anthology early episodes.
Hilda2018
A girl moves to the countryside and discovers it's full of actual monsters and magic. Beautifully drawn, genuinely funny, with a lead character who's allowed to be unglamorous and complicated.
But The plot sprawl becomes a commitment by season two. Some of the early episodes feel slight compared to what the show eventually becomes.
Disenchantment2018
Same core structure: scrappy found family, escalating adventures, genuine affection underneath the chaos. Both prove that comedy and genuine character development aren't enemies. Both also love their worlds so much they make every scene feel lived-in and real.
Matt Groening's fantasy comedy about a rebellious princess, an elf, and a personal demon on a never-ending quest. Underneath the chaos, it's genuinely interested in how these three broken people make each other better. Hilarious and weirdly moving.
But Much cruder and earthier than Monkie Kid—explicit jokes, violence, and drinking are constants. If you want family-friendly, this is a hard swerve into adult comedy.
