Supergirl Faces Weaker Box Office Outlook Amid Mixed Reactions

As the second live-action film in James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Supergirl is considered a major test for the franchise’s future. The film centers on a character who has had relatively few live-action appearances compared with Superman, despite past roles in series such as Smallville, The Flash and the long-running Arrowverse show led by Melissa Benoist, which lasted six seasons and 126 episodes. On the big screen, however, this marks the character’s most significant standalone spotlight.

Expectations for the project have recently come under pressure as early box office forecasts and first social media reactions have generated less enthusiasm than anticipated. According to Deadline, Supergirl is currently projected to earn between $50 million and $55 million domestically during its opening period. That figure is less than half the $125 million opening achieved by Superman, while some analysts believe the film could perform even lower.

The movie arrives after Superman grossed $618 million worldwide, a total that placed it 10th among 2025 releases. While the result was respectable, it fell short of the level many expected from one of the world’s most recognizable superheroes launching an entirely new cinematic universe. Supergirl is now tracking behind those numbers ahead of release.

Initial reactions from critics and influencers who attended early screenings have been mixed. Many praised Milly Alcock’s performance in the title role, but several reviewers expressed concerns about other aspects of the film. Eric Goldman described the movie as “just okay,” stating that director Craig Gillespie’s approach does not fully connect with the material and that some action sequences fail to make a strong impact, though he highlighted Alcock’s work and several character-focused moments as strengths.

Nikko Caruso called Alcock “exceptional” but argued that the film itself was disappointing, citing script issues, Jason Momoa’s performance and the portrayal of the villain as major weaknesses. Jones Vibes similarly praised Alcock while criticizing the film’s musical choices and overall execution, suggesting the actress deserved a stronger introduction to the DC Universe.

A recurring theme among many early reactions is that Alcock delivers a standout performance, while criticism has frequently focused on the villain Krem and Gillespie’s direction. Positive and negative opinions appear relatively balanced, with many responses landing somewhere in the middle rather than generating overwhelming excitement.

Full reviews, including the film’s official Rotten Tomatoes score, are expected later this week closer to release. While audience reactions do not always align with critics, the comparison to Superman remains notable. That film earned an 83% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90% audience rating.

If Supergirl ultimately finishes with a worldwide box office total around $300 million, it could increase pressure on future DC Universe releases. In that scenario, attention would quickly shift to Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for release next year.

Before then, DC Studios will release Clayface this fall. The project is described as a horror-focused departure from the franchise’s usual style and is co-written by acclaimed horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan. While its commercial prospects remain uncertain, the film is viewed as another opportunity for the DC Universe to generate stronger momentum as Warner Bros. continues building a long-term replacement for the former DCEU.