The social media embargo on “Supergirl” lifted Thursday, giving the public its first real look at reactions to DC Studios’ second feature film under co-chief James Gunn. The film, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, opens in theaters and IMAX across North America on Friday.
Alcock earned near-universal praise as Kara Zor-El, with Jason Momoa’s Lobo also standing out, while critics were split on the film as a whole and pointed to a bland villain as a recurring complaint.
Den of Geek contributor David Crow called “Supergirl” the superhero movie he’d missed, describing it as a straightforward, poignant story full of emotion. Other reactions leaned more skeptical of the finished product while still singling out Alcock’s performance.
Comicbook.com’s Chris Killian described the film as a grimy, funny and surprisingly somber space adventure, comparing it to a blend of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “True Grit” and “Mad Max.” Critic Tessa Smith called it a mixed bag, saying that while Momoa and Alcock shine, some adaptation choices and a bland villain keep the film from greatness.
The film also stars Matthias Schoenaerts as villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, and David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham as Supergirl’s parents, with David Corenswet reprising his role as Superman. It is directed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira, adapting the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.”
While the reviews trickle in, the bigger question hanging over the release is whether audiences will show up. “Supergirl” reportedly cost roughly $175 million net before marketing spend, with a breakeven point around $315 million worldwide. By comparison, last year’s “Superman” launch opened to $125 million domestically and legged out to $618 million worldwide.
Advance tickets for “Supergirl” went on sale only about three weeks before its release, a notably late window for a major superhero, and a check of presale platforms around that time showed barely any seats sold for the film’s early access screenings. Tracking has shown interest dropping in the weeks since, with some early box office estimates pointing toward a worst-case opening scenario.
DC has leaned into marketing the Lobo angle in response, increasing the character’s footage in trailers to court his existing fanbase, and James Gunn personally promoted ticket sales on social media ahead of the release. Fandango also ran a separate Fan First Screening event on Wednesday, June 24, ahead of the wide release.
Whether the mixed-but-Alcock-positive reaction cycle translates into ticket sales will become clearer over opening weekend. “Supergirl” opens in theaters and IMAX nationwide Friday, June 26.
“Supergirl,” DC Studios’ newest feature film to hit the big screen, will be in theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures, starring Milly Alcock in the dual role of Supergirl/Kara Zor-El. Craig Gillespie directs the film from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira.
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.
Alcock stars alongside Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, with David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa.
DC Studios heads Peter Safran and James Gunn are producing the film, which is based on characters from DC, Supergirl based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is executive produced by Nigel Gostelow, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther. Behind the camera, Gillespie is joined by director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer Neil Lamont, editors Tatiana S. Riegel and Fred Raskin, costume designers Anna B. Sheppard and Michael Mooney, Visual Effects Supervisor Geoffrey Baumann, music supervisor Susan Jacobs and composer Claudia Sarne.
DC Studios Presents a Troll Court Entertainment / The Safran Company Production, A Film by Craig Gillespie, “Supergirl,” which will be in theaters and IMAX® across North America on June 26, 2026, and internationally beginning 24 June 2026, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
