‘Supergirl’ lands on HBO Max after rocky theatrical run
DC Studios’ “Supergirl” is getting a second chance with audiences when the Milly Alcock-led superhero film begins streaming exclusively on HBO Max beginning Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The movie, directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, will also receive a linear HBO premiere at 8 p.m. ET on September 12. An American Sign Language version will be available on HBO Max at the same time as the streaming debut.
“Supergirl” introduced Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin, in the second major feature of James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe. The story follows the headstrong Kryptonian on an interplanetary journey involving revenge, justice and her beloved dog, Krypto.
The streaming debut comes after a difficult theatrical run. Released June 26, “Supergirl” earned approximately $126.4 million worldwide, according to the figures cited by Yahoo! Entertainment and IGN, against a reported production budget of roughly $170 million to $186 million. The film opened to only $38 million domestically and $68 million worldwide, well below pre-release expectations of $40 million to $55 million for its domestic opening weekend.
Its second weekend brought another setback, with the box office plunging 76%. The movie ultimately became a significant financial disappointment for DC Studios and Warner Bros.
Critical reaction was also mixed. “Supergirl” currently carries a 53% Tomatometer score and 72% Popcornmeter audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to Yahoo! Entertainment. Nevertheless, Alcock’s performance has received praise in some quarters, with IGN noting the potential of her interpretation of Kara despite criticism of the film itself.
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What’s next for Supergirl and DC Studios?
Despite the box-office disappointment, DC Studios co-head Peter Safran has indicated that the film’s theatrical performance does not derail the studio’s broader plans.
Alcock is already scheduled to reprise Supergirl in “Man of Tomorrow,” the upcoming Superman sequel starring David Corenswet. The film is scheduled for July 9, 2027, giving DC another opportunity to build on the relationship between the two Kryptonian heroes.
Before then, DC Studios has several major projects in the pipeline. “Clayface,” a live-action horror-inspired take on the Batman villain, is scheduled for theatrical release in October 2026. The studio is also moving forward with its television projects, including “Lanterns,” while Matt Reeves’ “The Batman Part II” remains in development outside the main DCU continuity.
For “Supergirl,” HBO Max represents a new opportunity to reach viewers who skipped the theatrical release. Whether streaming audiences embrace Alcock’s version of Kara could help determine how strongly the character carries into the next phase of the DC Universe.
For DC Studios and Gunn, however, the bigger test remains the future of the franchise—and whether “Man of Tomorrow” can restore the box-office momentum that “Supergirl” failed to achieve.
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(Sources: Vital Thrills, Yahoo! Entertainment, IGN)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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