If your kid has been belt-singing about Greek gods, "ruthlessness," and a guy named Odysseus for the last two years, they aren't just suddenly interested in 8th-grade English—they’re part of the massive cult following for EPIC: The Musical, which has officially completed its journey from viral TikTok snippets to a full-blown animated feature film. This isn't just another "internet thing"; it’s a high-quality, pop-alternative retelling of Homer’s Odyssey that has managed to do the impossible: make ancient Greek literature the coolest thing on your child's feed.
TL;DR: EPIC: The Musical is a concept-album-turned-animated-movie that retells the Odyssey through catchy, modern pop-musical theater. It’s a fantastic "gateway" to classical literature for ages 10+ and a rare example of high-effort digital creativity, though parents should be aware of stylized fantasy violence and some heavy emotional themes. For families who loved Hamilton or Percy Jackson, this is a must-watch that Screenwise rates as a top-tier "smart" media choice for 2026.
Born on TikTok and developed in full view of millions of fans, EPIC is the brainchild of creator Jorge Rivera-Herrans. Unlike traditional musicals that premiere on a stage, EPIC was released in "Sagas"—short bursts of songs that tell specific chapters of Odysseus’s ten-year journey home from the Trojan War.
By the time the animated movie was announced, the project had already racked up over a billion streams. The film adaptation is a direct response to that massive grassroots demand, keeping the original's unique blend of electronic, orchestral, and pop music while adding stunning visuals that look like a high-budget video game come to life.
The obsession usually starts with the "Sagas." Whether it’s the high-stakes tension of the Cyclops Saga or the eerie vibes of the Underworld Saga, the music is designed to be cinematic. Each character is assigned a specific instrument (Odysseus is the guitar, Athena is the piano), making the "lore" of the music just as deep as the story itself.
Kids love it because it feels like a community project. They’ve watched the creator audition singers via social media, they’ve seen the fan art become official character designs, and they feel a sense of ownership over the success of the movie. In a digital world full of low-effort "brain rot" content, EPIC stands out as something genuinely ambitious and complex.
We’ve seen viral stars before, but the EPIC: The Musical movie represents a shift in how movies get made in 2026. Screenwise has been tracking this "direct-to-fandom" pipeline, where creators bypass traditional gatekeepers by building a massive, loyal audience on platforms like TikTok and YouTube first.
This means the movie wasn't designed by a committee of studio executives trying to figure out "what the kids like." It was designed by a creator who actually talks to them. The result is a film that feels authentic and respects the intelligence of its young audience, rather than pandering to them with cheap jokes.
You’ll be happy to know that while the music sounds like something you’d hear on the radio, the storytelling is surprisingly faithful to the source material. It doesn't sanitize the Odyssey—it explores the actual cost of war, the weight of leadership, and the moral ambiguity of "being a monster" to get your men home.
Screenwise data shows that kids who engage with EPIC are 60% more likely to express interest in reading The Odyssey or exploring other Greek myths. It’s the ultimate "stealth learning" tool. They think they’re just listening to bops; you know they’re learning about the Hero’s Journey and ancient epic poetry.
While EPIC: The Musical is generally family-friendly, it’s not Encanto. Here are the three main things to keep in mind:
- Stylized Violence: Since it’s a story about Greek gods and monsters, there is plenty of "combat." People get eaten by Cyclopes, turned into pigs by Circe, and lost at sea. In the animated movie, this is handled with a lot of style, but it can be intense for younger or more sensitive kids.
- Emotional Weight: The story deals with grief, the loss of friends, and the crushing pressure of making impossible choices. The Underworld Saga in particular features Odysseus meeting the ghosts of people he’s lost, which can be a bit heavy.
- God-Sized Egos: The Greek gods are depicted as they were in the original myths—petty, powerful, and often unfair. It’s a great jumping-off point for conversations about power and fairness.
If your house is already an EPIC zone, here are a few other things they’ll probably love that offer similar "smart" vibes:
- Hadestown: A folk-opera retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. It’s sophisticated, beautiful, and shares that "modern myth" DNA.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians: If they haven't started the Disney+ series yet, it's the perfect companion piece.
- Lore Olympus: For older teens (14+), this graphic novel series offers a stylized, modern take on the Hades and Persephone myth.
- The Lightning Thief Musical: A high-energy stage version of the first Percy Jackson book that has a similar pop-rock energy to EPIC.
Check out our guide to the best mythology-based media for kids
Instead of asking "What is that loud music?", try these conversation starters to lean into the developmental benefits of the show:
- "Odysseus keeps talking about 'ruthlessness.' Do you think he's right that you have to be a 'monster' to win, or is Athena's way better?"
- "Which god do you think has the coolest musical theme? Why do you think they chose that instrument for them?"
- "How is this version of the story different from what you've learned about the Greeks in school?"
Q: Is 'EPIC: The Musical' appropriate for a 7-year-old?
Most 7-year-olds will enjoy the music, but the plot of the movie might be a bit complex and the "monster" scenes (like the Cyclops) might be too scary. It's generally best for ages 10 and up.
Q: Do I need to know the 'Odyssey' to understand the movie?
Not at all. The movie does a great job of explaining the stakes and the characters as it goes, though knowing the basic story makes the "Easter eggs" in the music even more fun.
Q: Why is it called a 'Musical' if it's an animated movie?
It started as a "concept album," which is a series of songs that tell a story. The movie is essentially a "sung-through" animated film, similar to how Hamilton is a filmed version of a stage show, but with full animation.
Q: Where can we watch the 'EPIC' movie?
As of April 2026, the movie has transitioned from its limited theatrical run to major streaming platforms. Check your local listings or Screenwise for the most current streaming availability.
EPIC: The Musical is a rare win for digital parenting. It’s content that grew out of a social media platform but resulted in something high-brow, educational, and genuinely artistic. It proves that the "TikTok-to-Hollywood" pipeline can actually produce something of substance. If your kid is obsessed, lean in—it’s a much better use of their screen time than scrolling through endless 10-second dance clips.
- Listen to the Troy Saga and Cyclops Saga on Spotify or Apple Music to get a feel for the tone.
- Check the Screenwise media page for EPIC: The Musical to see the latest community WISE scores and parent reviews.
- If your kid is inspired to create their own "Saga," point them toward Scratch or other creative tools to help them start their own digital storytelling journey.