Mili Pictures Defies Trends, Takes China’s ‘Wukong Warrior’ To Global Streaming Instead Of Theaters

Veteran producer Bill Borden (High School Musical) is partnering with China’s Mili Pictures to bring the studio’s animated feature Wukong Warrior to international TV and streaming platforms, forgoing a traditional theatrical release, at least for now. The producers have not ruled out potential limited theatrical runs in the U.S. and other markets, but nothing is planned for the time being.

Borden, best known for High School Musical and Kung Fu Hustle, will oversee the reversioning of Wukong Warrior for audiences outside China, in collaboration with Summit International Pictures. The film will be introduced to international buyers this October at MIP Jr and MIPCOM in Cannes, ahead of its domestic release in Chinese theaters this September.

A reimagining of the classic Journey to the West tale, Wukong Warrior follows the mischievous Monkey King as he seeks redemption by escorting a monk through a mythical, monster-filled landscape. The film mixes martial arts, comedy, and mythology in what Borden describes as “a story steeped in classic Chinese folklore told with heart, humor, and adventure.”

“This is not just about exporting animation — it’s about making stories that genuinely connect with global audiences,” Borden said. “Mili’s grown tremendously over the past decade, and I think Wukong Warrior is a huge step forward.”

Mili previously released Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn and Throne of Elves, and has built a reputation for high-quality animation with global ambitions.

Wukong Warrior is the first in a planned trilogy and represents a strategic shift for Mili Pictures, which is prioritizing direct-to-streaming and television distribution in international markets. That decision defies recent trends in international animation distribution, which has seen foreign films improving their lot at the domestic box office. GKIDS and Crunchyroll have seen impressive results when bringing Japanese titles to the U.S., and A24 will place the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha II in U.S. theaters later this month.

Jack Zhang, chairman of Mili Pictures, emphasized the studio’s goal to produce globally accessible family entertainment: “We believe the combination of our animation and Hollywood storytelling can really resonate worldwide.”

Former Disney exec Todd Barasch is also on board via Summit International to handle international licensing outside of China.