The story of We Can Be Heroes
We Can Be Heroes opens on a world where superheroes walk among us — powerful, celebrated, and seemingly invincible. Then aliens show up and wreck everything. The film's central premise is deceptively simple: Earth's greatest heroes get captured by extraterrestrial invaders, leaving their children as the planet's last hope. These aren't seasoned crime-fighters or hardened soldiers. They're kids. Some have inherited powers from their parents; others are discovering abilities they didn't know they had. What unfolds is a race against time where a ragtag group of young heroes must learn to work together, overcome their insecurities, and figure out that power — real power — comes in all sizes.
The setup taps into something that resonates with younger audiences: the idea that you don't have to be grown up to matter, that your voice counts even when the adults in the room are gone. It's a premise that avoids the usual "kids save the day while parents are conveniently absent" trope by making the absence meaningful and urgent. The stakes aren't abstract. The stakes are your parents.
Behind the making of We Can Be Heroes
We Can Be Heroes is a sequel to Robert Rodriguez's 2005 cult film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, which means it arrives with built-in nostalgia for millennial parents and an opportunity to introduce Rodriguez's imaginative universe to a new generation. Rodriguez wrote and directed the film, and he also served as cinematographer and editor — a hands-on approach that's become his trademark. The production involved Troublemaker Studios (Rodriguez's own company), Quick Draw Productions, and Double R Productions, lending the project the kind of creative continuity that comes from having one visionary steer the ship.
The ensemble cast includes YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken, and Hala Finley, among others, none of whom were household names at the time but who carry the film with genuine charm. Netflix released it on December 25, 2020 — Christmas Day — positioning it as family viewing during the holidays. The film is rated PG, making it accessible to younger viewers while retaining enough action and humor to keep parents engaged. The production earned one award nomination, a modest haul that reflects the film's modest ambitions: it's not chasing prestige; it's chasing joy.
When you're tracking where this fits in the streaming landscape, Movie OTT keeps tabs on how Rodriguez's work circulates across platforms, and We Can Be Heroes has found its audience primarily through Netflix, where it debuted and remains a holiday staple for families.
What makes We Can Be Heroes stand out
Critical reception was mixed, which is fair — the film doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 76% Fresh rating, while the Metascore landed at 51, suggesting critics were split on whether Rodriguez's earnest approach to superhero storytelling landed or felt thin. The IMDb rating of 4.7 out of 10 (from nearly 20,000 votes) hints at a divide between adults and kids; younger viewers tend to be far more forgiving of the film's occasional tonal wobbles.
What's striking is how Rodriguez leans into practical effects and colorful set design rather than drowning everything in CGI. The alien invasion sequences feel tactile. You can sense the filmmaking underneath, which gives the whole thing a handmade quality that's increasingly rare in big-budget family entertainment. There's a scene where one of the young heroes discovers their power for the first time, and the moment lands because the actor's reaction feels genuine — not just a beat in a script.
The performances anchor the film in a way that could've easily gone wrong. Young ensemble casts are notoriously hit-or-miss, but here the kids feel like they're playing characters, not just hitting marks. The father-daughter relationships (particularly between the heroes and their captured parents) carry real emotional weight. Rodriguez doesn't rush the quieter moments; he lets them breathe. That restraint is what separates We Can Be Heroes from feeling like a two-hour commercial for superhero action figures. It's a film that actually cares about why these kids are fighting, not just that they're fighting.
Where to stream We Can Be Heroes online
We Can Be Heroes is available on major OTT services, with Netflix remaining the primary home since it's a Netflix original. If you're looking to find it on other platforms or want to compare availability across regions, the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page will show you exactly where the film is streaming right now. Availability does shift depending on licensing agreements, so checking that widget before you settle in is worth the five seconds it takes. The film's 97-minute runtime makes it a solid evening watch — long enough to feel substantial, short enough that you're not committing your entire night.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is We Can Be Heroes a sequel to Sharkboy and Lavagirl?
Yes, it's officially part of the Sharkboy and Lavagirl Collection. You don't need to have seen the 2005 film to enjoy this one, though longtime fans will catch some callbacks and appreciate how Rodriguez revisits that universe with a fresh perspective.
Q: Who directed We Can Be Heroes?
Robert Rodriguez wrote and directed the film, and also served as cinematographer and editor. His hands-on approach gives the movie a consistent visual style and creative voice throughout.
Q: Is We Can Be Heroes appropriate for young children?
Yes — it's rated PG and designed with families in mind. There's action and some mild peril (aliens, explosions), but nothing that's likely to disturb kids who enjoy superhero stories. Parents watching alongside younger kids generally report it's a solid family experience.
Q: What's the runtime of We Can Be Heroes?
The film runs 97 minutes, making it a brisk, focused story that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Q: Where can I watch We Can Be Heroes?
Check the Where to Watch widget on this page for current availability across streaming services. Netflix is the primary platform, but licensing can vary by region.
Final thoughts on We Can Be Heroes
We Can Be Heroes isn't trying to reinvent the superhero genre or win over cynical critics. It's a film that believes in its young heroes, trusts its audience to care about their growth, and commits fully to the idea that kids are capable of extraordinary things when they work together. That's a message worth hearing, especially in a landscape cluttered with darker, more jaded takes on the superhero story. If you've got kids who love action and humor, or if you're a Rodriguez fan curious about how he's evolved since Sharkboy and Lavagirl, it's worth your time. Stream it, enjoy it for what it is — a colorful, earnest adventure that doesn't apologize for its heart.
