13 Years Later, Netflix Is Officially Proving Percy Jackson’s Critics Wrong

Percy Jackson critics never saw any value in the movie adaptations, but Netflix officially proves them wrong. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians book series has maintained a massive fanbase since its release, and the fandom has only grown over time. Like most great YA series, Percy Jackson caught the eye of Hollywood executives who purchased the book rights early on.

Five years after the first book debuted, 20th Century Fox released the first of two movie adaptations. Despite Rick Riordan’s offer to help, he had zero creative control, and his opinions about the script were brushed off (via Rick Riordan’s website). Unfortunately, it didn’t receive the positive reaction the filmmakers had hoped for. The Percy Jackson movies were hated by most of the fandom, and film critics didn’t see them as much better.

They only lived on in the pop-culture zeitgeist in infamy. However, it looks like the tides are turning. Netflix recently took a chance on the Percy Jackson movies, adding them to its large catalog on June 15. Just two days later, the movies have done the impossible.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is at number three, and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is number four on the Top 10 Movies list. This would have been absolutely unthinkable back when the movies came out. However, their streaming success on Netflix proves folks were a little too harsh on the 2010s movie duology. No matter how unfaithful they are to the source material, they still have entertainment value.

The Percy Jackson Movies Are Entertaining When Separated From The Rick Riordan Books

As a fervent fan of the Percy Jackson books, I think the 2010s movies were terrible adaptations. They’re hollowed-out versions of the stories. Frankly, the movies only shared a loose premise and the main characters. That said, they are actually great popcorn movies when viewed as completely separate entities from the Percy Jackson franchise. I thought that in the 2010s, to the point that I own the movies on DVD, and I still think it now.

Popcorn movies are judged by their entertainment value and escapism. They don’t need superb storytelling and character development. They are meant to be enjoyable, mindless fun with mainstream appeal. The Percy Jackson movies did a lot wrong, but they also did some things right. The duology is fast-paced, action-packed, and 100% escapism.

They embrace the spirit of adventure and fun, rather than trying to be something they aren’t. They’re high-budget and visually engaging enough to keep the movie going. Logan Lerman gives a good performance as Percy, which makes it easy to watch. Both Percy Jackson movies are pretty thematically empty, which makes it easier for the audience to turn off their brains while watching. Ultimately, they are the kind of media to watch when folks just want to relax without thinking about what they’re watching too much.

Why The Percy Jackson Fandom Has Taken A 180 On The Peter Jackson Movie Duology

The popularity of the Percy Jackson movies might seem surprising, given the initial responses, but it actually makes sense for them to have a comeback 13 years after Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. There were always quiet fans of the movies. Back then, the fandom wasn’t friendly towards people who liked them, meaning those opinions weren’t as widely expressed.

Additionally, the movies are experiencing the nostalgia effect. It has been long enough for people to look back on the movies through rose-colored glasses. What’s more, the movies are also bound to elicit less extreme negative emotional reactions now that there’s some distance from their releases. It’s the same way the Star Wars prequels are now loved, even though they were originally disliked.

On top of that, Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians has entered the picture, meaning there are more versions to compare and a less unified Percy Jackson fandom. I personally think the TV show is better than the movies, but neither is as good as the books. There are a variety of opinions, though, which is fine. Some people who dislike the show now see the Percy Jackson movies as a preferable alternative, boosting its popularity. Overall, the Percy Jackson movies are seemingly finding their second life on Netflix now that attitudes have softened, allowing viewers to appreciate them for what they are.