Supergirl Falls Short at the Box Office as DC Studios Sticks to Its Long-Term Vision
DC Studios' latest superhero film, Supergirl, has failed to meet expectations at the global box office despite significant anticipation ahead of its release.
Produced with an estimated budget of $170 million, the film opened well below projections, prompting discussions about the future of DC's cinematic universe.
High Expectations After Superman's Success
Following the critical and commercial success of James Gunn's Superman in 2025, expectations for Supergirl were naturally high.
Starring Milly Alcock, the film struggled to generate the same enthusiasm. It earned approximately $63 million during its opening weekend worldwide, only about half of Superman's impressive $125 million debut.
DC Studios Remains Confident
Despite the disappointing launch, DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran emphasized that the film's performance does not change the company's broader strategy.
According to Safran, Supergirl represents only one chapter in DC Studios' long-term roadmap, and the company remains committed to building its new cinematic universe over time.
Mixed Reviews Hurt the Film
Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, Supergirl received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics.
The film currently holds a 54% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising Milly Alcock's commitment to the role while criticizing the screenplay, pacing and overall execution.
Strong Competition at Theaters
Another factor affecting the film's commercial performance was the release of Toy Story 5, which continued to dominate theaters during its second weekend.
The family blockbuster maintained strong momentum, making it even more difficult for Supergirl to attract audiences.
Clayface Is Next for DC
DC Studios is now looking ahead to its next theatrical release, Clayface, scheduled to arrive in October.
Unlike Supergirl, the upcoming film carries a significantly smaller production budget of around $40 million, suggesting a more cautious financial approach for future DC projects.
A Major Hollywood Debut for Milly Alcock
Best known for her role in House of the Dragon, Milly Alcock described starring in Supergirl as both exciting and overwhelming.
The actress admitted that suddenly becoming highly visible in Hollywood has been an adjustment, explaining that learning to navigate worldwide attention is both thrilling and intimidating.
While the movie may not have achieved the success DC hoped for, Alcock's performance is expected to remain an important milestone in her growing career.