'Supergirl' box office tracking signals lower opening than 'Superman'

Supergirl is set to arrive in cinemas on June 26 2026, marking the second major feature film in the new DC Universe overseen by James Gunn.

The project follows last year’s Superman, which opened to $125 million domestically and went on to earn $618.7 million worldwide, establishing early momentum for the rebooted franchise.

Early box office tracking suggests a more modest start for Supergirl, with current projections placing its opening weekend at around $55 million.

If accurate, this would represent a significant drop compared to Superman’s debut and place added pressure on the film’s overall theatrical run.

The production budget for Supergirl is reported at approximately $175 million. According to industry estimates cited in reporting, the film would need to reach around $315 million globally to break even once marketing and distribution costs are included.

This means its opening performance could play a crucial role in determining its financial outcome, as most superhero films see steep revenue declines after their first weekend.

By comparison, Superman’s stronger opening helped it move toward profitability more quickly, although high marketing and distribution costs reduced its net gains.

Analysts noted that even successful superhero titles can face limited profit margins once theatrical splits are taken into account.

Despite concerns about opening projections, the DC Universe continues to expand. Upcoming projects such as Lanterns and the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow are already in development, with industry attention focused on whether the franchise can maintain audience interest beyond its initial entries.

Supergirl stars Milly Alcock in the lead role, with Jason Momoa set to appear as Lobo. The film’s performance is being closely watched as a key indicator of the wider direction of Warner Bros’ DC strategy under its current leadership.