The Kid Who Would Be King

The Kid Who Would Be King has built a real following in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus and fuboTV among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 841 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Louis Ashbourne Serkis sets the tone, and the world-building does the rest. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Kid Who Would Be King is worth clearing space for. What makes The Kid Who Would Be King work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors. Louis Ashbourne Serkis and Dean Chaumoo lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2019. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, The Kid Who Would Be King fits the bill. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Louis Ashbourne Serkis anchors it with a performance that makes the more abstract moments feel personal. If you have been burned by ambitious sci-fi before, this is the exception.