“Supergirl” opened in theaters Friday with a cautious box office outlook and mixed critic ratings. The Supergirl box office forecast now points to a softer start than DC Studios likely hoped for after last year’s “Superman” reboot.
The Warner Bros. release stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl. Craig Gillespie directed the film, which is part of the new DC Universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Supergirl Box Office Tracking Points to Soft Opening
As of Friday morning, final opening-day grosses had not yet been posted by Box Office Mojo. The site listed “Supergirl” as a June 26, 2026, domestic release, with domestic, international, and worldwide totals still blank.
Industry tracking suggests the film could open below earlier expectations. Deadline reported a projected domestic opening of about $40 million to $50 million.
MarketWatch also described the debut as underwhelming for the DC reboot. The outlet noted that the film follows “Superman,” which helped rebuild momentum for Warner Bros. and DC last year.
That comparison matters because “Supergirl” is not a small release. It carries a reported production budget around $170 million before marketing, according to multiple industry reports.
Critic Ratings Show a Divided Response
Critics have not rejected “Supergirl,” but they have not fully embraced it either. Rotten Tomatoes listed the movie at 59% on the Tomatometer and 77% on the Popcornmeter in its first-review roundup.
Metacritic showed a score of 50 out of 100, based on 49 critic reviews. The site classified the response as “mixed or average.”
That puts “Supergirl” in a difficult position. The film has enough praise to avoid a total critical collapse. However, the ratings may not be strong enough to create major urgency among casual moviegoers.
For a superhero film opening in a crowded summer market, that gap can matter. Strong word of mouth often helps a movie hold through its second weekend.
Milly Alcock Earns Praise Despite Uneven Reviews
Many critics singled out Alcock as the film’s strongest element. Rotten Tomatoes summarized the early reviews by saying the movie may not be the summer’s must-see blockbuster, but Alcock makes the most of the role.
The film also features Jason Momoa as Lobo. His appearance has drawn attention because it marks a new DC role after his years as Aquaman.
The story follows Kara Zor-El on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs one hour and 48 minutes.
Several reviews praised the cast and some action sequences. Others criticized the script, tone, and pacing.
DC Faces Another Test With Audiences
The performance of “Supergirl” will be closely watched because DC Studios is still building its new slate. “Superman” gave the franchise a cleaner launch point, but “Supergirl” now tests whether that momentum can spread beyond Clark Kent.
A lower opening does not automatically mean the film will fail. A strong audience response could still help the movie over several weeks.
Still, the early signs are mixed. The box office projections are modest, and the critic ratings suggest a film that divides viewers more than it unites them.
For moviegoers, “Supergirl” arrives as a superhero film with a praised lead performance and a less certain overall reception. Its next test will come from audiences filling theaters through the weekend.