Story perspectives

Supergirl Debuts $170M Film, Pulls $50M, Mixed Reviews

6/25/2026

Summary

Supergirl Opens

Supergirl opened in U.S. theaters on June 26, 2026.
Craig Gillespie directed the $170 million film from Ana Nogueira’s screenplay, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El with David Corenswet and Jason Momoa.
Box-office analysts projected a $47-$50 million opening, a steep drop from the $125 million debut of 2025’s Superman.
Critics praised Alcock’s performance but faulted the split tone, over-edited fight scenes, weak villain and unclear identity, calling the movie a mixed, underwhelming follow-up.

Summary

Supergirl Goes Gritty

The film blends superhero adventure with Western “True Grit” and Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic visuals.
Supergirl is portrayed as a sullen, moody loner, abandoning the usual optimistic hero archetype.
Director Craig Gillespie adds alien mercenary Lobo for over-the-top comic relief, deviating from the source material.
Although rated PG-13, the film’s profanity, graphic violence, and anachronistic needle-drop soundtrack make it unsuitable for younger viewers.

History

Historical Context

In December 1978 Warner Bros. released Richard Donner’s *Superman*, which earned about $300 million worldwide and proved comic-book heroes could dominate the box office. The film’s success launched the modern superhero franchise model, prompting studios to treat legacy properties cautiously. The 2026 *Supergirl* sequel, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock, follows that same risk-reward pattern.

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Supergirl Opens

Supergirl opened in U.S. theaters on June 26, 2026.
Craig Gillespie directed the $170 million film from Ana Nogueira’s screenplay, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El with David Corenswet and Jason Momoa.
Box-office analysts projected a $47-$50 million opening, a steep drop from the $125 million debut of 2025’s Superman.
Critics praised Alcock’s performance but faulted the split tone, over-edited fight scenes, weak villain and unclear identity, calling the movie a mixed, underwhelming follow-up.

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