Supergirl is in theaters now and has received mixed reviews. While critics appear to be critical of the movie, audiences rate it highly, indicating that the DCU is still on the right path.
Supergirl is scheduled to release in theaters on June 26, 2026, and will be based on Tom King’s 2021-2022 comic book series illustrated by Bilquis Evely. The film stars Milly Alcock, who will portray the titular character of Kara Zor-El. It is written by Ana Nogueira and produced by DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran.
“When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice,” reads the film’s official synopsis.
Supergirl’s critic score only shows half of the picture of the new DCU movie
When Supergirl debuted, it faced a wave of negative reviews. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes page currently lists it at 56%, a low score for any project in the DCU. However, there is a silver lining: the audience score for the movie is significantly higher. Despite a score in the 50s from critics, Supergirl currently boasts a 76% rating on the site.
Tracking scores like this can be tricky, as sometimes a film’s score may be inflated in ways that don’t accurately reflect fan sentiment. Still, such a significant discrepancy indicates that a substantial portion of the film’s audience enjoyed the movie to some extent, particularly appreciating Milly Alcock’s portrayal of Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, who will appear in future projects. This is a promising sign for the DCU and suggests that the expanding universe is still on track.
At its current trajectory, it seems unlikely that Supergirl will achieve the massive box office success that those at DC Studios had hoped for. However, if the movie remains enjoyable in the eyes of fans, it demonstrates that the universe continues to earn the goodwill necessary for long-term success.
In reality, Supergirl was always going to be a film that didn’t land with the same impact as Superman (the movie that launched the DCU’s theatrical slate). It tells a much smaller story featuring a hero who doesn’t possess quite the same level of popularity as Superman. Nevertheless, the positive feedback from audiences regarding this latest project indicates that the DCU is building effectively; with upcoming projects like Man of Tomorrow and Lanterns on the horizon, there is potential to further enhance their popularity.
Originally written by Anthony Nash on SuperHeroHype
