Supergirl, the latest entry in James Gunn's revitalized DC Universe, has experienced a disappointing opening weekend at the box office. The film debuted at number two domestically with $38 million, a figure that falls below the opening weekend gross of Sony's 2022 film Morbius, which brought in $39 million. This performance also trails behind other recent DC entries like Joker: Folie à Deux, which earned $40 million in its opening weekend.
Despite positive reviews for lead actor Milly Alcock, Supergirl's domestic debut also failed to match the performance of last year's Superman, the first film in the new DCU slate, which garnered $125 million in its opening weekend. Supergirl's $38 million opening is lower than any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films' initial box office performances.
While the domestic numbers are concerning, Supergirl added an additional $30 million from international markets, bringing its global total to approximately $68 million for its first weekend. However, with a reported production budget ranging between $170 million and $186 million, the film faces a significant challenge to become profitable during its theatrical run.
DC Studios co-chairman and co-chief Peter Safran acknowledged the box office shortfall but expressed confidence in the studio's long-term strategy. He stated that Supergirl's performance is just one part of a broader plan for the DC Universe and does not derail future projects. The next film in the DCU slate is a Clayface movie scheduled for October, followed by a Superman sequel in 2027.
Supergirl is the second film to be released under Gunn's direction for the new DC Universe, following 2025's Superman. The studio's commitment to its broader slate of films remains steadfast despite Supergirl's initial box office struggles.