When James Gunn and Peter Safran took the reins of DC Universe in late 2022, the plan was clear: reboot the franchise with a cohesive, interconnected universe spanning film and TV. The first chapter, titled Gods and Monsters, promised a bold new era for the comic book giant, with five movies slated between 2025 and 2027. Among them was a standalone Supergirl film, meant to introduce Kara Zor-El as a key player in the new DCU. But just two films in, cracks are already showing.
Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as the titular hero, hit theaters on June 26, 2026. Despite high hopes, the film has struggled mightily at the box office, grossing just $100 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $170 million. That makes it a clear box office bomb, and now Warner Bros. is reportedly rushing the film to digital streaming in hopes of recouping some losses. According to industry reports, Supergirl will be available for digital purchase and rental starting July 28, 2026. Official confirmation from Warner Bros. or DC Studios is still pending, but the date is widely expected.
A Rocky Start for the New DCU
The underperformance of Supergirl is a stark contrast to the franchise's first installment, Superman, which earned a Certified Fresh 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and strong box office numbers. Supergirl, by comparison, holds a 54% score on the aggregator, with critics praising Alcock's performance but noting the film's familiar origin story. The consensus reads: "Milly Alcock brings a swagger to Kara Zor-El that'd make Krypton proud in this otherwise familiar origin story, dawning a promising new hero in the DCU who's still waiting for an adventure that matches her vigor."
To put the disappointment in perspective, even the much-maligned The Flash from the previous DCEU earned $55 million in its opening weekend—$7 million more than Supergirl managed in the same timeframe. The film's struggles have raised questions about the viability of Gunn and Safran's grand plan, especially as other projects like Creature Commandos and Peacemaker Season 2 have found success on television.
What's Next for Supergirl?
Despite the box office woes, Supergirl features a strong cast. Alongside Alcock, the film stars Eve Ridley as Kara's companion Ruthye Marye Knoll, Matthias Schoenaerts as the villainous Krem, David Krumholtz as Zor-El, Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze, and Jason Momoa as the fan-favorite intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo. The film is still in theaters, but its digital release on July 28 will give audiences a chance to catch it at home.
For fans of the DCU, the early streaming release might be a silver lining. It's not the first time a superhero film has found a second life on digital platforms—just look at how Zazie Beetz's Tarantino-inspired thriller turned a box office dud into an HBO Max hit. Similarly, Supergirl could find a new audience on streaming.
As the DCU continues to unfold, all eyes will be on upcoming entries like The Brave and the Bold and Swamp Thing. For now, Supergirl serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of launching a new cinematic universe. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on the DCU and its streaming releases.
