We Can Be Heroes: Review, Cast, Sequel & Where to Watch

Few people saw a sequel to 2005’s critically dismissed The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl coming, yet We Can Be Heroes landed on Netflix on December 25, 2020, and immediately became a streaming phenomenon. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the film drew 53 million households in its first four weeks and became Netflix’s most-watched film in 2021. Whether you’re considering it for a family movie night or just curious about the buzz, here’s what you need to know.

Director: Robert Rodriguez · Release Year: 2020 · Platform: Netflix · Predecessor: The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005) · Genre: Superhero

The following table consolidates key production and reception details from authoritative sources.

Is We Can Be Heroes a good movie?

We Can Be Heroes received mixed reviews from critics, though audience reactions were notably cooler. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 74% approval rating from critics with an average score of 6/10, while audiences gave it only 41% based on over 500 ratings. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus reads: “Although it may be too zany for adults, We Can Be Heroes balances its sophisticated themes with heart and zealous originality.”

Metacritic’s weighted average score of 51 out of 100 based on 10 critics confirms the “mixed or average” reception from professional reviewers.

Movie Review

Reviews split along generational lines. Inverse praised the film as “a good idea” that expands the original world with upgraded action sequences and themes of teamwork, noting that “you don’t need superhuman abilities to be a hero.” One Rotten Tomatoes critic gave it 2.5 out of 4 stars, observing that the film “gives kids what they want but not adults,” while another noted that “sets feel small and cheap for a 2020 superhero movie.”

SCAD Connector was less generous, arguing that “the original Sharkboy and Lavagirl is better than its successor” and that We Can Be Heroes “didn’t even seem to try that hard to be good.” Acting drew criticism as “forced and exaggerated” in negative assessments, while more favorable reviews highlighted the film’s family-friendly tone and visual flair under Rodriguez’s direction.

Common Sense Media take

For parents seeking guidance, the film sits in a comfortable middle ground. The superhero premise with mild action and slapstick humor generally suits children aged 7 and up, though sensitive younger viewers may find the alien invasion sequences intense. The underlying message about teamwork and ordinary kids stepping up to save the day provides a positive framework for family discussions.

Will there be a season 2 of We Can Be Heroes?

No sequel has officially entered production as of this writing, but Netflix did announce a sequel on January 4–5, 2021, after the film drew 44 million families in its first four weeks. Director Robert Rodriguez confirmed he would write and direct the follow-up.

Sequel status

The announcement came just days after Netflix shared its opening viewership data, demonstrating the platform’s confidence in the film’s performance. However, subsequent updates on production timelines, casting, or release windows have not emerged publicly. Fans following Fandom Wiki and social media have found no concrete development milestones since the initial announcement.

We Can Be Heroes 2 updates

What remains unclear is whether the sequel will prioritize the original Sharkboy and Lavagirl characters more prominently or continue focusing on the Heroics kids. The loose sequel structure—set in a separate universe from the original—gives Rodriguez flexibility in either direction.

Were SharkBoy and LavaGirl in We Can Be Heroes?

Yes, but they take a backseat. We Can Be Heroes is a loose sequel to The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005), not a direct continuation. Sharkboy and Lavagirl appear as supporting characters within The Heroics team, while Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Moreno leads the group as the primary superhero figure.

Connection to original film

The film exists in what Fiction Overlord describes as “a separate universe from the original despite featuring the characters.” Taylor Lautner did not return to play Sharkboy, and the narrative focuses on a new generation of kid heroes—including Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin), Magnus (Lyon Daniels), and Glow (Hala Finley)—who must rescue their superhero parents after alien invaders capture them.

Why didn’t Taylor Lautner come back?

Sources have not confirmed the exact reason Taylor Lautner did not return for We Can Be Heroes. The Fandom Wiki lists this among unclear points about the production. The film acknowledges his absence narratively by shifting focus entirely to the Heroics kids while giving Sharkboy and Lavagirl only brief mentor roles. Lautner has not publicly addressed his decision to skip the sequel.

Cameos and references

The original characters appear in mentor and backup roles rather than driving the plot. This structural choice allowed Rodriguez to introduce fresh young protagonists while satisfying nostalgia for the 2005 cult classic. The film parallels his Spy Kids franchise in its family-adventure DNA, where child heroes rescue adult superheroes.

Can a 7 year old watch We Can Be Heroes?

We Can Be Heroes carries a TV-PG rating, making it generally appropriate for children aged 7 and up. The film’s superhero action includes laser blasts, alien creatures, and mild peril when parents are captured, but nothing graphic or disturbing.

Age rating

The TV-PG designation reflects mild thematic content suitable for family viewing. Younger children around 5–6 may enjoy the colorful visuals and kid heroes but could find certain action sequences confusing or mildly frightening. Parents should gauge individual readiness based on their child’s comfort with animated superhero violence.

Raising Children Network advice

General guidance for superhero media suggests previewing key scenes if your child is sensitive to conflict or separation anxiety. The film’s resolution emphasizes teamwork, courage, and the message that ordinary kids can make a difference—positive takeaways that often resonate with the 6–10 age group.

What was the plot twist in We Can Be Heroes?

The central plot twist involves alien invaders—the same extraterrestrials who once threatened Earth in the original Sharkboy and Lavagirl—returning to capture the world’s greatest superheroes while they’re trapped in a charity event. With their parents imprisoned, a group of kids who have never been allowed to use their powers must band together to save both their families and the planet.

Full plot summary

The film introduces The Heroics, a government-sanctioned superhero team led by Marcus Moreno (Pedro Pascal). His daughter Missy has secretly developed powers of her own but has been forbidden from joining the team. When the alien threat materializes, the adult heroes are swiftly captured, leaving Missy, Magnus, and their young teammates to step up.

The kids discover that working together and believing in themselves proves more effective than they imagined. The climax involves outsmarting the aliens through cleverness rather than brute strength, culminating in a rescue that saves both parents and Earth.

Key spoilers

The emotional payoff comes from Missy proving herself to her father and earning his respect. Sharkboy and Lavagirl appear briefly to assist but acknowledge that this generation’s fight belongs to the kids. The final scene sets up potential future adventures while confirming the kids’ permanent membership in The Heroics.

“Although it may be too zany for adults, We Can Be Heroes balances its sophisticated themes with heart and zealous originality.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Consensus (Rotten Tomatoes)

“No one expected a sequel to 2005’s The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, but We Can Be Heroes proves it was a good idea.”

— Inverse Review (Inverse)

Related reading: Cast of Indiana Jones 5: Dial of Destiny Full List · Cast of Stranger Things Season 5 – Full Confirmed List

Robert Rodriguez’s We Can Be Heroes sequel revives Sharkboy amid alien invasions, much like the fresh family appeal detailed in this thorough review and sequel guide on Netflix.

Frequently asked questions

For families seeking a low-stakes superhero streaming option, the choice is straightforward: We Can Be Heroes offers solid entertainment value for kids aged 7 and up, even if critics split on its execution. Adults with nostalgia for the 2005 original may want to lower expectations and enjoy the film on its own energetic terms.