A new week means the biggest streaming service is adding fresh content. Today marks the drop of two library titles on Netflix: David Fincher’s mystery thriller “Zodiac,” and a somewhat forgotten DC superhero flick, “Blue Beetle,” which I’m confident will crack the top 10 in the coming days. Its compelling premise and visually electric trailer were enough to pique my interest.
Released in 2023, “Blue Beetle” unfortunately didn’t make a huge splash at the box office ($130.8 million worldwide on a reported budget of $104 million), largely due to limited promotion caused by the SAG-AFTRA strike and the fact that “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” essentially dominated that entire summer. Since then, the DC movie has been somewhat overlooked, especially with James Gunn rebooting the franchise in the meantime.
However, even though “Blue Beetle” didn’t get the amount of attention it deserved, viewers were quick to rate it highly on Rotten Tomatoes for its deep roots in Latin American culture and its entertaining superhero origin story. If you’re in the mood for a fun, action-packed adventure this week, here’s everything you need to know about “Blue Beetle” now that it’s landed on Netflix.
What is ‘Blue Beetle’ about?
Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), a recent college graduate, returns to his hometown of Palmera City only to discover his family is struggling financially and facing eviction. While trying to find direction in life, he becomes unexpectedly linked to an alien relic called the Scarab, which bonds to him and creates a powerful, living exosuit.
As Jaime learns to control the suit’s unpredictable powers, he is drawn into a dangerous conflict involving Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), who seeks to exploit the Scarab for her own gain. Jaime must protect the Scarab, understand his new role, and embrace his destiny as the superhero Blue Beetle.
Should you stream ‘Blue Beetle’ on Netflix?
“Blue Beetle” suffered plenty of bad luck around its release that led to a fizzling debut, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching now. With the new DC universe moving into grittier territory, with the upcoming “Clayface” described as pure horror and the “Lanterns” show leaning into a dark, detective-style tone, it's refreshing to have some superhero flicks that are lighter in tone.
Even though the character isn’t as well-known as Batman or Superman, Blue Beetle actually brings a relatable, grounded hero to the universe with a mix of humor and teenage charm. The action in this first Latino superhero epic may feel fairly standard, but the personal connections between the titular character and his lively, resilient family give the story real heart.
To be frank, “Blue Beetle” certainly has some of the weaker visual effects in the DC universe, but its vibrancy and ability to deliver thrilling entertainment makes the CGI easy to overlook. In some ways, this movie is comparable to “Shazam” (which might offend some fans), but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you’re looking for a lighthearted superhero movie that aims to make you feel good rather than keep you on edge the entire time.
Plus, “Blue Beetle” stays true to the community it represents, never pandering or offering shallow portrayals of Latino culture. Even amid intense battles and comedic action, the heart of the story is grounded in family relationships, making the superhero moments feel earned and meaningful. It’s a refreshing change from the hero-led movies we’ve seen so far.
As mentioned before, “Blue Beetle” earned some solid ratings despite its weaker box office performance. Critics gave the action-adventure flick 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences rating it an impressive 90%. The site’s consensus reads: “Led by Xolo Maridueña's magnetic performance in the title role, Blue Beetle is a refreshingly family-focused superhero movie with plenty of humor and heart.” One user even said “this movie deserved to be watched in theaters!”
For anyone looking for a lighthearted watch this week, “Blue Beetle” delivers exactly that, offering an action-packed adventure with visually electric sequences, making it an entertaining choice for viewers of all ages. Clocking in at 127 minutes, the movie provides ample story to sink into. However, if you’re not feeling it, see what else is new on Netflix this week.
Stream "Blue Beetle" on Netflix.
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