Warner Bros.' DC Universe is navigating choppy waters as it approaches its one-year anniversary. With no guaranteed blockbuster on the immediate horizon—aside from the mid-budget horror-leaning Clayface—the franchise is banking on next year's Man of Tomorrow to reignite fan enthusiasm. That film will reunite audiences with David Corenswet's Superman, a character warmly received in James Gunn's recent reboot. Unlike that hopeful debut, the DCU's sophomore outing has struggled to win over critics and fans alike, and its recent arrival on HBO Max hasn't changed the narrative.
The film in question is Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, with Jason Momoa making his DCU debut as Lobo. Momoa, of course, is no stranger to DC audiences, having portrayed Aquaman in the previous DCEU. Supergirl was always going to be a tough sell, but DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran may have overestimated its appeal. The movie carried a hefty $186 million production budget yet managed only $126 million at the global box office, making it one of the year's most significant sci-fi disappointments alongside the Masters of the Universe reboot.
Now that Supergirl has landed on HBO Max, one might expect a streaming surge to salvage its reputation. Instead, according to FlixPatrol, it's sitting at number two on the platform's global chart, unable to dethrone a 28-year-old fantasy classic: Practical Magic. The Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman vehicle, which originally grossed $95 million against a $75 million budget, has become a beloved cult favorite over the years, and its recent sequel buzz has only amplified its streaming appeal.
The fact that a mid-90s witchy romance is outperforming a shiny new superhero epic says a lot about audience tastes right now. Practical Magic has that cozy, rewatchable quality that keeps it in the cultural conversation, and with a sequel on the way, interest is at an all-time high. For Supergirl, the competition is steep, and its critical reception isn't helping. The film holds a 53% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics praising Alcock's charismatic performance but lamenting the movie's formulaic plot.
This isn't the first time a big-budget release has been upstaged by a nostalgic favorite on streaming. The pattern suggests that audiences are increasingly drawn to comfort viewing over new spectacle. For the DCU, the lesson might be that star power and visual effects aren't enough—story and emotional resonance matter just as much. As the franchise looks ahead, it will need to find that magic if it hopes to compete with the likes of Practical Magic and other enduring favorites.
For now, Supergirl fans can only hope the film finds its audience over time, much like Practical Magic did. But with the sequel to that film already generating buzz, the competition isn't letting up. Stay tuned for more updates on this streaming showdown and the future of the DCU.
