7 underrated fantasy shows you need to watch

2. The New Legends of Monkey

Another Netflix original, The New Legends of Monkey, has been marketed as a family-friendly action adventure romp…and that’s pretty much what it is. What sets Monkey apart is the sheer fun of its found family of misfit characters, its excellently choreographed and often humorous action sequences, and the unique style that its New Zealand and Australia-based production companies brought to bear.

The New Legends of Monkey is actually based on an ancient Chinese novel called Journey to the West, about a monk named Trippitaka who enlists the help of several gods on a journey to to fetch seven scrolls from the far corners of the world and bring enlightenment to the people. While Journey to the West has been adapted a bajillion times over the years, it’s often very loose; The New Legends of Monkey sticks relatively close to the original idea as it follows Trip, Monkey and their crew as they go on a continent-wide scroll hunt.

Monkey is a funny show, but it doesn’t veer into camp. The series does a great job of balancing humor with the gravity of the quest, exploring the characters’ personal tragedies and backstories without ever losing its light touch. This is a family-friendly adventure, with some special effects that are, if not cartoony, certainly not realistic either. There’s no blood or gore, but there is an abundance of very entertaining Kung Fu stunts and action scenes. And the wonderful comedic timing makes it funnier than many comedies. It’s a delight to binge-watch.

Season 2 of The New Legends of Monkey hits Netflix on August 7, meaning this is the perfect time to hop on a cloud and join the journey.