Bilal: A New Breed of Hero

Skip the assumption that animation means lightweight — Bilal: A New Breed of Hero, in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Aspire TV Amazon Channel, is not. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 169 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. A harder one to justify skipping than to start. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Bilal: A New Breed of Hero is worth clearing space for. Bilal: A New Breed of Hero treats animation as a medium, not a limitation. A thousand years ago, one boy with a dream of becoming a great warrior is abducted with his sister and taken to a land far away from home. Thrown into a world where greed and injustice rule all, Bilal finds the courage to raise his voice and make a change. Inspired by true events, this is a story of a real hero who earned his remembrance in time and history. The voice work from Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and China Anne McClain adds real texture, not just recognisable names. Bilal: A New Breed of Hero came out in 2016. The animation style is distinctive enough to be immediately recognisable, but it is the writing underneath that keeps viewers coming back for more. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Animation fans will appreciate the craft, but Bilal: A New Breed of Hero works for viewers who do not typically seek out animation too. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.

Bilal: A New Breed of Hero was released in 2016, directed by Ayman Jamal. The full 109-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.