In a disappointing turn of events, Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ highly anticipated superhero film, *Supergirl*, has faltered at the box office, raking in a mere $38 million domestically in its opening weekend. This figure falls short of the expected $55 million and places it behind the reigning champion, Disney and Pixar’s *Toy Story 5*, which grossed an impressive $70 million during its second weekend.
Underwhelming Opening Weekend
The latest addition to the superhero genre, *Supergirl* features Milly Alcock as the titular character, a cousin of the iconic Superman. Despite significant investment, with a budget of $170 million not accounting for marketing expenses, the film has a long way to go in order to recoup its production costs. The initial response has been lukewarm at best, and critics have not held back in their assessments.
The film’s performance is particularly striking when compared to past superhero flops. Notably, *Supergirl*’s opening weekend earnings were even lower than those of 2022’s *Morbius*, which debuted to $39.1 million despite a critical panning and an incoherent storyline. While *Morbius* has become infamous in the realm of comic adaptations, *Supergirl* now finds itself in a similar position of shame, struggling to connect with audiences.
Critical Reception
The reviews for *Supergirl* have been largely unfavourable, with a disheartening score of just 56% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critic Clarisse Loughrey described the film as “ugly” and “dispiriting,” lamenting the lack of engaging surroundings for what could have been a strong character. The mixed reviews may have deterred viewers from flocking to cinemas, further exacerbating its financial woes.
Amidst this landscape, *Supergirl* faced fierce competition not only from *Toy Story 5*, but also from the indie horror film *Obsession*, which managed to capture the third spot at the box office, leaving *Supergirl* in the dust.
Future for DC’s Superhero Universe
Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO David Zaslav had previously expressed confidence in the reimagined DC Universe following the success of James Gunn’s *Superman*, which debuted to a staggering $125 million last summer. However, *Supergirl*, whose real name is Kara Zor-El, lacks the same recognisable appeal, despite her brief appearance in the previous film.
Looking ahead, the DC Universe is set to continue with *Clayface*, scheduled for release in October. This upcoming project comes with a considerably smaller budget of $40 million, perhaps reflecting a shift in strategy following the disappointing performance of *Supergirl*.
Why it Matters
The struggles of *Supergirl* highlight the shifting dynamics of the superhero genre and the challenges faced by studios attempting to introduce lesser-known characters. As audiences become increasingly selective and demanding, the failure to resonate with viewers can have significant repercussions, not only for the film itself but also for the broader DC brand. If studios cannot adapt to these changing tastes, they risk alienating their core fanbase and jeopardising future projects. As the industry continues to evolve, the repercussions of this opening weekend will be felt for some time to come.
