One of the Best Comic Book Movies of the Century Is About to Return to Streaming (& It’s Free)

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While movies based on comic books existed before the year 2000, they weren’t very common. For every well-remembered film like Superman (1978) or Batman (1989), there were several forgettable ones. Things really took off after 2000 with the success of X-Men and, later, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCU. These franchises have transformed comic book movies, making them a consistent part of Hollywood and delivering some truly great films.

Look, I love the big superhero spectacles like The Dark Knight and The Avengers as much as the next person, but sometimes the smaller, less flashy comic book movies are just as great. There are these hidden gems that didn’t launch huge franchises or break box office records, but they’re seriously fun to watch. And one of the best, in my opinion, is Dredd from 2012. It was a really faithful adaptation of the classic 2000 AD character, which fans had been wanting for ages. It didn’t do well in theaters at first, but it’s gained a real following over the years. Luckily, it’s going to be available to stream again soon, and it’s free – which is awesome!

Dredd Streaming Free on Plex This Summer

Plex is adding a bunch of free movies starting June 1st, including the 2012 action film Dredd. Unlike many big movies that are exclusive to certain streaming services (like Marvel on Disney+ or Warner Bros. films on HBO Max), Dredd moves around between platforms. In fact, it hasn’t been available for streaming in months, making its arrival on Plex next week a welcome return – and it’s free to watch!

Judge Dredd first appeared in comic books in 1977, patrolling the streets of Mega City One and handing out justice. However, the only movie adaptation came in 1995 with Sylvester Stallone, and it wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences. The film also made a major creative error by having the lead actor remove his helmet – something the character was famously never shown doing. This unsuccessful movie significantly harmed the character’s reputation until a better adaptation was released in 2012.

When Karl Urban was cast as Judge Dredd in a new movie directed by Pete Travis and written by Alex Garland, he quickly decided to stay true to the character’s iconic history. He followed through on that promise by never removing the helmet throughout the entire film, only allowing his expression and nose to be visible.

Karl Urban’s decision to keep his face hidden throughout the film is just one of the many things fans love about Dredd. The movie also features incredibly stylish and exciting action sequences that were unique for comic book adaptations at the time, and it really took advantage of 3D technology when it came out. Beyond the visuals, Dredd successfully captured the tone of a Judge Dredd comic book by using satire and a distinctive, dry wit.

When Dredd came out, it wasn’t a success. It earned $41 million, which was about the same as its production cost. Critics generally liked it – it has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – but it was released at a bad time. It came out in September when audiences were losing interest in 3D movies, and shortly after the popular film The Avengers. So, it’s understandable if you missed it! But now is a great time to watch Dredd, and it won’t cost you a thing.

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2026-05-25 20:18