In the kaleidoscopic world of the DC Universe, James Gunn has become its most audacious architect, taking beloved superheroes from the page to entirely new cinematic heights. From his reinvention of Peacemaker into an irreverent, darkly hilarious antihero to injecting fresh life into the Suicide Squad with razor-sharp wit, Gunn has demonstrated a remarkable ability to balance chaos and heart. Fans cannot deny their affection for his vision, whether it is John Cena’s stoic absurdity or Margot Robbie’s captivatingly chaotic Harley Quinn.

Curiously, one long-forgotten DC film with Gunn’s blessing has resurfaced, now charming its way into Netflix’s Top 10 and once more charming its viewers.

Blue Beetle, released in 2023, stands as a remarkable yet forgotten DC gem approved by James Gunn. The flick has made it to the Top 10 Movies in the United States on Netflix, at spot 10. Starring Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes, the first live-action Latino superhero lead, the film blends cultural identity, family bonds, and high-tech alien heroics. Despite strong performances from Adriana Barraza, George Lopez, and Susan Sarandon, and its inventive symbiotic Scarab powers, the movie was widely deemed a box office flop, failing to recoup its $104–125 million budget, much to the surprise of critics and fans alike.

Blue Beetle, once dismissed by Hollywood accountants, has quietly clawed its way onto Netflix. With James Gunn teasing his post-Superman DC plans and stating how the hero fits "very nicely" in the DCU, this financial misfire now finding its rightful audience comes at a perfect time. Jaime Reyes and the Scarab are finally receiving the recognition they always deserved, albeit years after the theater lights dimmed.

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One might wonder what sorcery allowed the film, Blue Beetle, to charm audiences two years after being horridly dismissed at the theaters.

Blue Beetle unfortunately came to hold the title of the lowest opening box office for a DC Extended Universe film despite its heart, humor, and Xolo Maridueña’s charismatic turn as Jaime Reyes. The timing could not have been worse: the previous DCEU was ending, a new DC Universe loomed, and audiences were distracted by the "Barbenheimer" frenzy. Marketing was crippled by the SAG-AFTRA strike, superhero fatigue was rampant, and the character lacked widespread recognition. These factors turned a promising superhero debut into a theatrical underdog tale.

Fast forward to 2025, and Blue Beetle has been vindicated on streaming platforms. Without box office pressures and marketing limitations, audiences embraced Jaime Reyes’ story, making the film a surprise hit on Max and Netflix. Positive word-of-mouth, accessibility from home, and a self-contained, entertaining origin story allowed Blue Beetle to climb into Netflix’s Top 10, proving that sometimes cinema’s misfires simply need time and the right platform to shine.

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What do you think about Blue Beetle dominating Netflix charts now? Let us know in the comments below.