Vanessa Piña has been a freelance writer for the ScreenRant anime section since 2024. As a senior writer, she focuses on timely coverage of the latest anime releases and updates on popular franchises.
Despite the growing popularity of Chinese animation in recent years thanks to hit series like Heaven Official’s Blessing and Link Click that have surpassed many anime in quality and scope, some worthwhile donghuas have failed to reach a wider audience because they aren't available on major platforms like Netflix or Crunchyroll or because the lack of international promotion hinders their recognition outside of China. Fortunately, donghua's biggest sleeper hit of 2026 is a perfect series for isekai fans that's currently available to stream for free.
Although every isekai series centers around characters arriving in another world, the charm of the genre is that it's not limited to the types of narratives it offers, ranging from adventures in magical realms to otherworldly creatures being transported to modern-day Earth. While Chinese animation has already demonstrated its ability to tap into isekai recently with Lord of Mysteries and Release That Witch, the new donghua, Action Big Monster Movie, is one of the most outlandish takes on the genre so far, hilariously blending demons with the challenges of film-making.
While it may not have grabbed headlines or boast the most eye-catching title in the world, Action Big Monster Movie has a talented creator behind it. It's produced by Li Haoling, director of successful standout series like To Be Hero X and Link Click. The donghua premiered on April 24, 2016, and it has already become an excellent choice for viewers looking for a short watch and a good laugh.
Accessibility is no longer an issue for Western fans looking to watch new donghua, as Bilibili has made many titles from its catalog available outside its own platform. This is the case with Action Big Monster Movie, where eight episodes are currently available with English subtitles on Bilibili's official YouTube channel. The series has a simple but ambitious premise, following Monty, a director of monster movies going through a bad streak, who receives a filming commission directly from the demon, Leah.
While Leah doesn't look the most trustworthy, and the demon world is a dangerous filming site that wouldn't inspire anyone to even consider the offer, the fact that the monster genre is in a slump and that Monty is experiencing financial distress are powerful persuasive tools. But within Action Big Monster Movie's absurdity lies a well-crafted story. Monty's recruitment stemmed from a crisis in the demon realm, which is at war with the elven race, and the films became a means of influencing the population, gaining the demons' favor and making them unwilling to fight.
Action Big Monster Movie is not only a fun isekai series with impressive action sequences and full of eccentric characters with great personalities; it brings up all the struggles that plague a production and the entertainment industry. From shady contracts, exploitative schedules, lack of funding, and finding the main actors, the series presents a whole host of crazy situations that keep viewers hooked.
Action Big Monster Movie features many nods to pop culture, but its greatest appeal lies in its satire and meta-references to the Chinese animation industry. This is evident not only in something as outlandish as QR codes, but also in how the declining state of monster movies feels like an analogy for the dominance of 3D Chinese animation compared to 2D productions.
While fans wait for Season 2 of Lord of Mysteries, its creator just dropped a whole new series and it looks just as promising.
The series doesn't have the typical isekai tropes and maintains a lighthearted tone throughout, without major dramas or an overly deep plot. Furthermore, since its episodes are short, around 18 minutes each, it's an easy donghua to enjoy and unwind with at the end of the day. Action Big Monster Movie premieres episodes every week on Bilibili's YouTube channel, and it's a series that isekai fans should keep on their radar.
