DC Studios’ Supergirl opened to an estimated $40 million in North America this weekend, falling short of the $47-50 million studios had projected and marking what analysts are calling DC’s first box office disappointment under James Gunn’s new creative leadership.

The film stars Milly Alcock — best known as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon — as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin. It carries a $170 million production budget, not including global marketing costs, and will need a long theatrical run to justify that spend.

How it compares to last summer’s Superman

Gunn’s Superman, which opened in July 2025, debuted to $114 million domestically — nearly three times what Supergirl managed this weekend. That contrast is being widely noted in Hollywood today. Supergirl’s $40 million opening is also below a third of what Superman earned, making it a step backward for the DC Universe reboot.

Critical reviews have been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, Supergirl holds a 57% score from critics. Audience reception has been slightly warmer, with a B+ CinemaScore, but the weak critical response may be dampening awareness among casual moviegoers.

Nearly every review praised Milly Alcock as a standout. Variety called her “effortlessly shifting between a fiercely menacing cosmic force, a genuinely funny protagonist, and a deeply vulnerable young woman.” The consensus is that the actress delivers more than the film around her.

What the film is about

Supergirl is set on a dystopian alternate Earth, distinct from the main DCU continuity. Kara arrives to find a world controlled by an authoritarian government, and the story leans into darker, science-fiction territory rather than the brighter tone of last summer’s Superman. That tonal shift may have contributed to the weaker mainstream draw.

Director Milorad Krstić and a screenplay from Ana Nogueira bring a stylized visual approach that critics have noted feels more art-house than superhero blockbuster. The film has been positioned as its own standalone story, not a direct sequel to Superman.

What happens next for DC

Supergirl’s opening raises questions about how deep the goodwill from Superman actually runs with audiences. That film built real momentum for the new DCU. Whether Supergirl’s underperformance slows that momentum — or simply reflects a one-off mismatch between tone and expectations — is the conversation studios will be having this week.

The film will need to hold well through the July 4 holiday weekend, which could provide a boost. International markets, where DC films have historically performed strongly, will also be a key factor in whether Supergirl eventually turns a profit.

Milly Alcock’s performance has been widely praised, and DC will almost certainly bring her back. The question is what kind of film she deserves next.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)

Is Supergirl part of the same DC Universe as Superman 2025?

Yes and no. Supergirl exists within the broader DCU but is set on an alternate Earth, allowing the filmmakers to tell a standalone story without directly connecting to the events of Superman.