1 July 2024

Blue Beetle (2023)

In Blue Beetle, struggling college grad Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña from Cobra Kai and Parenthood) unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armour capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny.

Blue Beetle was up for Best Superhero Movie at both the 2024 Critics Choice Super Awards and the Saturn Awards, where Maridueña won Best Younger Actor. He also cracked a nom for Best Actor in a Superhero Movie at the Critics Choice Super Awards, and won the Rising Star Award at their annual Celebration of Cinema & Television.

Not only does the Warner Bros. picture mark the DC character’s first time on the big screen, he’s also the DC Extended Universe’s first Latino superhero. And, as Common Sense Media notes in their 4/5-star review, “he's also the first movie superhero to show that while his physical power comes from his super-enhancements, his fortitude comes from a loving family.” Recommending the film for ages 12+, and listing it among the Best Movies of the Year: 2023, Common Sense Media calls it, “a breath of fresh air in a packed superhero market,” saying, “A Latino superhero is long overdue in the DCEU, and this warm, funny adventure makes it worth the wait.”

Blue Beetle also stars Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza (Thor, Dora and the Lost City of Gold), Emmy-winning comedian George Lopez, and Critics Choice nominees Raoul Max Trujillo (Mayans M.C., Riddick) and Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), as well as Oscar winner Susan Sarandon. Singer Becky G voices Khaji-Da.

Watch it now

All the best movies to stream

Masinga - The Calling (2024)

Inspector Masinga is dispatched back to Africa on a sex-trafficking case, and once he's home, he tries to find justice for the killing of his brother.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Must-watch trailer for Showmax's turbo-charged reality series Volspoed

Watch the trailer for Volspoed, Showmax's upcoming reality series about racer Antonie Marx, his family and his racing team. From 6 January 2026.

OriginalMade in South Africa

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa.jpg

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip cast on first impressions, beefs and more

The ladies from The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa share their first impressions of Housewives from other franchises. Catch new episodes every Friday on Showmax.

Original

Fana Mokoena on playing a sangoma in Masinga

SAFTA winner Fana Mokoena talks about portraying a sangoma in the gripping crime thriller, Masinga - The Calling. Stream from 5 December on Showmax.

Original South Africa