Chinese audiences have been stunned by the return of Monkey King.

It's called "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" and it was released in theaters in China on July 10th. The epic animated adventure based on local mythology has just become the most financially successful Chinese animated film.

"Monkey King: Hero is Back" tells of the story of the Monkey King's encounters with his future master, Monk Tang, before they embark on a pilgrimage to India, defeating monsters along the way.

The animated film, directed by first-time director Tian Xiaopeng, surpassed "Kung Fu Panda 2" to become the top-grossing animated film in Chinese history.

Monkey King took eight years to make for a budget of just $16 million, and the director attributed the national success of Monkey King to cultural factors.

"Chinese people have their own values, which means we don't need to follow the mindset of the West, especially that of the Hollywood," Tian said.

"We used our own traditional stories to resonate with our audiences' emotions, and technically we tell the story by means of the West."

Can this new hope of Chnese animation go global?