The Monkey King, a rebellious 16th-century Chinese superhero, is finally breaking into the U.S. through Netflix films, blockbuster video games, and a sold-out San Francisco Opera production.

The new San Francisco Opera production will likely appeal to children of all ages with its tactile, immersive world and performances.

There’s a new hero in the world of opera, one with amazing superpowers, an unstoppable mission — and a tail. “The Monkey King,” created by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang, hearkens ...