New Zealand television has a knack for doing more with less, and The New Legends of Monkey is a prime example. It is currently available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix, so there is no reason to keep putting it off. A 7/10 rating means the audience agrees — and those who disagree tend to be in a clear minority. The production does not waste your time: every episode earns its place in the run, and the pacing is calibrated to keep you watching rather than checking how much time is left. The run length is exactly right for the story being told. Chai Hansen is the anchor, but the depth of the supporting cast is what elevates it. Start it tonight and see for yourself why the ratings are where they are.

The New Legends of Monkey follows a path that stands out in a crowded field. Follow a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance to their world. Inspired by the 16th Century Chinese fable “Journey to the West.” Chai Hansen and Luciane Buchanan lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. The series ran for 2 seasons (2018–2020), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The New Legends of Monkey holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-season curiosities.

Ideal for when you want something light without wanting something stupid. The New Legends of Monkey respects its audience — rarer than it should be. The writing assumes you can keep up and rewards you when you do, with jokes that have layers and callbacks that make rewatches genuinely worthwhile. The complete run is available and short enough to finish before the weekend is over. The kind of comedy that you recommend to someone who claims they do not really watch much TV, and then check back in a week to find they have finished it.