Huge cult TV show 'Monkey' is getting a Netflix reboot and people have questions

"Born from an egg on a mountain top. The punkiest monkey that ever popped."
 By 
Jerico Mandybur
 on 

It seems the nature of Monkey really is "...irrepressible!"

The late '70s cult classic Japanese TV show is back, baby! Monkey is getting a remake as 10 half-hour episodes on Netflix.

According to the ABC, production is underway on the rebooted version of the kung-fu heavy show, called The Legend of Monkey, in New Zealand. The new version is slated to run on Australia and New Zealand's public broadcasters too.

For the uninitiated, Monkey was based on the Chinese novel, Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. Although the generation of Australian kids who watched the Buddha-quoting, BBC-dubbed show weeknightly (and for three hours on Saturdays) weren't aware of that. They just saw a dude that could command clouds and kick arse.

For them, the appeal was all about the hammed-up acting, kitsch special effects and sick martial arts moves that were easy to DIY at home. Just grab the nearest stick and start threatening your siblings into a duel, kids!

Fun fact: Monkey was not only translated into English. It also got Spanish and Zulu versions. Yep. It reached well beyond Asia -- being screened in Europe, Africa and South America, as well as Down Under.

Instead of Japanese actors like the '70s version, the reboot features a cast of Australian and Kiwi talent of mixed heritage, including comedian Josh Thomson as Pigsy (whose original incarnation was a borderline sex pest TBH) and Thai-Australian actor Chai Hansen as Monkey.

Reactions to the news are mixed. Fans are either excited, annoyed that literally everything needs to be remade, or dismayed that the series doesn't feature a more diverse cast of East Asian-Australian talent.

We'll have to wait and see if the reboot is as ~magic~ as the original. Who knows, maybe we'll have another 20 years of daily Monkey repeats ahead of us?

Topics Netflix

Mashable Image
Jerico Mandybur

Jerico Mandybur is the editor of Mashable Australia. Previously, she worked as a digital editor at SBS, Oyster Mag, MTV and ASOS. Tweet her at @jerico_m.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
The internet is rooting for this abandoned baby monkey and his stuffed animal
a baby Japanese macaque monkey

Punch the monkey's emotional support plushie is from IKEA. Buy it before it sells out.
ikea stuffed orangutan on child's bedroom floor with toys

The internet is worried about Punch the monkey. The zoo says he's OK.
A 7 month-old male macaque monkey named Punch, who was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, spending time with a stuffed orangutan toy

Stephen Colbert reacts to Punch the Monkey getting a girlfriend
A man in a suit puts his thumb down. The words, "Bro, No!" are at the bottom of the screen.

Jon Stewart goes on a brutal 3-minute rant about Punch the monkey
A man in a suit sits behind a talk show desk, gesturing towards an image of a monkey clinging onto a stuffed monkey.

More in Entertainment
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!