Look, the timeline for Jaime Reyes is a bit of a mess if you're just glancing at a calendar. Most people typing "blue beetle release date" into a search bar are looking for one of two things: when the first movie actually hit the world, or when on earth we’re going to see Xolo Maridueña put that suit back on.
The first movie? That’s ancient history in internet time. It landed in theaters on August 18, 2023. But here is where it gets interesting—and honestly, a little confusing for the casual fan. While the movie technically lived in the "old" DC universe (the DCEU), James Gunn has been very loud about the fact that Jaime is the first character of the new DCU.
So, if you’re looking for a "Blue Beetle 2" date, you’re actually looking for 2026. That’s the year everything changes for the scarab.
What most people get wrong about the Blue Beetle release date
You might see some old articles floating around saying Blue Beetle was an HBO Max original. That was the plan. Originally, it wasn't even supposed to see a theater screen. Warner Bros. eventually realized that director Angel Manuel Soto had cooked up something way too big for a small screen, so they bumped it to a full theatrical window.
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After that August premiere, the digital release moved fast. Like, really fast. It was available to buy at home by September 26, 2023. If you're looking to stream it right now, it’s sitting on Max (formerly HBO Max), where it actually ended up being one of their most-watched movies despite a rough box office run during the strikes.
The 2026 Return: It’s not a movie (yet)
Here is the real tea for 2026. Xolo Maridueña isn't going away, but his next "release date" is for an animated series.
In early 2025, Xolo himself basically told everyone at the Saturn Awards to get ready for a 2026 launch. He mentioned they are "hitting it hard" and aiming to show the world the results by next year. This isn't just a side project; it’s being produced by the same team as the movie, including Angel Manuel Soto.
- Production status: Kicking off in early 2026.
- Release window: Likely Q4 2026 (if the animation schedule holds).
- Format: Anime-inspired series (Xolo's own words).
Is there a Blue Beetle 2 movie date?
This is the question that keeps the fandom up at night. As of January 2026, there is no official "Blue Beetle 2" date on the DC Studios slate.
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However, just a few days ago, Belissa Escobedo (who plays Jaime's sister Milagro) confirmed that talks for a sequel are "totally in the works." She’s even heading to a Comic-Con soon with Xolo, which usually means an announcement is brewing.
James Gunn is notorious for "the chef in the kitchen" approach. He’s juggling Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and the Lanterns show. Blue Beetle fits into this 2026-2027 window because the character is being "seamlessly transitioned," much like Peacemaker. We likely won't see a live-action sequel until at least 2027 or 2028, but the character's release date is much sooner.
Why the release schedule matters for the DCU
The reason you should care about the blue beetle release date being spread across years is because of how Gunn is building this world.
Think about it. We get the origin in 2023. We get an animated expansion in 2026. By the time a second movie rolls around, Jaime Reyes won't be a "new" hero anymore. He’ll be a veteran. There’s a lot of talk about him showing up in other projects first—rumors of a Peacemaker Season 2 cameo or a spot in the Booster Gold series are everywhere.
Honestly, the animated series is a smart move. It keeps the brand alive without the $150 million risk of a theatrical sequel while the "Main" DCU is still finding its feet with the new Superman.
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How to watch Blue Beetle right now
If you’re trying to catch up before the 2026 madness starts, you’ve got options.
- Max: It’s included with a subscription.
- Digital Purchase: Available on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu.
- Physical: The 4K Blu-ray has some actually decent behind-the-scenes stuff about the suit's practical effects.
The 2023 movie was a victim of bad timing—released during a massive hurricane and a Hollywood strike that meant the actors couldn't even talk about it. That’s why this 2026 push feels like a "redo" for the franchise.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the next release announcement, do these three things:
- Watch for the 2026 Comic-Con schedule. Xolo and Belissa are appearing together, and that is almost always where title cards and dates get dropped.
- Keep an eye on James Gunn’s Threads account. He’s the primary source for "debunking" or confirming these dates before the trades even get them.
- Check Max for the "Blue Beetle" animated series placeholder. Once that appears in the "Coming Soon" section, you'll know the 2026 window is locked in.
The journey from a 2023 "flop" to a 2026 "cornerstone" is one of the weirdest paths a superhero has ever taken. But for Jaime Reyes, it looks like the blue beetle release date was just the beginning of a much longer story.