DC Studios’ release of Supergirl in theaters didn’t go as planned, but the movie has entered a new era with a fresh chance of finding success. James Gunn’s DC Universe decided to follow up Superman with a solo movie for Kal-El’s cousin, with Milly Alcock debuting as Supergirl at the end of the 2025 blockbuster to briefly tease her adventure.
Supergirl hit theaters on June 26, 2026 with the hope of following in Superman‘s box office success. That proved to be much more difficult for Kara Zor-El. Supergirl bombed at the box office in its opening weekend, only making $37 million domestically. It was a disastrous start for DC’s $170 million production that immediately signaled a rough road ahead.
DC wasted no time responding to the underperformance, confirming it “didn’t meet our box office expectations.” The movie didn’t fare better in the weeks that followed, with Supergirl‘s global box office total sitting at just $124.6 million after its first month of release. And while it will be a financial loser for DC Studios and Warner Bros. in theaters, it now could become more popular.
Before he was Clark Kent, Superman was born Kal-El on a distant planet doomed to destruction. His parents Jor-El and Lara placed him in a rocket ship as an infant, sending him across the cosmos to Earth. What is the name of Superman’s home planet?
✓ Correct! Krypton was a scientifically advanced planet that exploded due to its unstable core. Jor-El, Superman’s father, was the only scientist who foresaw the catastrophe and managed to save his son by launching him toward Earth in a small spacecraft.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Krypton. Thanagar is Hawkman’s homeworld, Apokolips is Darkseid’s domain, and Oa is the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps. Krypton’s destruction is the defining event of Superman’s origin story.
02
Superman’s greatest love is a fearless, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who works alongside Clark Kent at the Daily Planet. She’s known for her relentless pursuit of the truth and for being one of the few people who sees both the hero and the man. Who is she?
✓ Correct! Lois Lane has been Superman’s primary love interest since her debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. A brilliant investigative reporter, she’s as iconic as Superman himself — tough, smart, and unafraid to chase the biggest stories in Metropolis.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Lois Lane. Diana Prince is Wonder Woman, Lana Lang is Clark’s high school sweetheart from Smallville, and Cat Grant is a gossip columnist at the Daily Planet. Lois Lane is Superman’s iconic partner.
03
Despite being nearly invulnerable under Earth’s yellow sun, Superman has one famous weakness — a radioactive mineral from the remnants of his destroyed homeworld. Exposure to it drains his powers and can even kill him. What is this substance called?
✓ Correct! Kryptonite is the irradiated remnants of planet Krypton. Green Kryptonite is the most common and deadly variety, but there are many other types — Red Kryptonite causes unpredictable behavior, Gold Kryptonite can permanently strip his powers, and Blue Kryptonite affects Bizarro.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Kryptonite. Vibranium is from Marvel’s Black Panther universe, Nth Metal is tied to Hawkman, and Red Sun Ore isn’t a real DC substance. Kryptonite is the iconic green-glowing mineral that is Superman’s ultimate weakness.
04
In 1978, a then-unknown actor donned the cape and made the world believe a man could fly. His portrayal of Superman became the gold standard for superhero films and he starred in four Superman movies. Who is this legendary actor?
✓ Correct! Christopher Reeve’s portrayal in Superman: The Movie (1978) is widely regarded as the definitive live-action Superman. His performance perfectly balanced the heroic confidence of Superman with the endearing clumsiness of Clark Kent, setting the template every Superman actor has followed since.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Christopher Reeve. Henry Cavill played Superman in the DCEU starting with Man of Steel (2013), Brandon Routh starred in Superman Returns (2006), and Tom Welling played young Clark in TV’s Smallville. Reeve was the original big-screen Superman.
05
Superman’s greatest enemy isn’t a superpowered alien — he’s a brilliant, ruthless human billionaire who believes Superman is a threat to humanity’s potential. This bald-headed genius has been Superman’s archenemy for over 80 years. Who is he?
✓ Correct! Lex Luthor is the ultimate foil to Superman — where Superman represents hope and selflessness, Luthor represents ambition and ego. Despite having no superpowers, his genius-level intellect and vast resources make him Superman’s most persistent and dangerous adversary.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Lex Luthor. Brainiac is an alien android who collects cities, Darkseid is the god-like ruler of Apokolips, and Doomsday is the monster who famously killed Superman. But Lex Luthor is the definitive archenemy — Superman’s dark mirror.
06
After crash-landing on Earth as a baby, Kal-El was found and adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent, a kind farming couple. They raised him with strong moral values in a small rural town. Where did Clark Kent grow up?
✓ Correct! Smallville, Kansas is the quintessential American small town where Jonathan and Martha Kent raised Clark with heartland values of honesty, compassion, and humility. It’s the foundation of who Superman is — not the powers from Krypton, but the character instilled by his Kansas parents.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Smallville, Kansas. Gotham is Batman’s city, Metropolis is where Clark moves as an adult to work at the Daily Planet, and Coast City is Green Lantern’s home. Smallville is where the Kents raised Clark on their farm.
07
As Clark Kent, Superman disguises himself as a mild-mannered reporter working at Metropolis’s most famous newspaper, alongside Lois Lane and photographer Jimmy Olsen. Their editor-in-chief Perry White runs the newsroom. What is the name of this newspaper?
✓ Correct! The Daily Planet, with its iconic globe on the rooftop, is one of the most recognizable fictional newspapers in pop culture. Working there gives Clark Kent both a cover identity and a way to stay informed about threats to the city and the world.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is the Daily Planet. The Daily Bugle is Spider-Man’s Marvel universe newspaper, the Metropolis Star and Gotham Gazette are lesser DC publications. The Daily Planet — with its spinning globe — is Superman’s journalistic home.
08
This Kryptonian military commander was banished to the Phantom Zone for treason before Krypton’s destruction. He escaped and came to Earth seeking vengeance, famously demanding that others “Kneel before” him. His iconic portrayal by Terence Stamp cemented him in pop culture. Who is this villain?
✓ Correct! General Zod is one of Superman’s most terrifying foes because he has all of Superman’s powers but none of his morality. Terence Stamp’s portrayal in Superman II (1980) made “Kneel before Zod” one of the most quoted villain lines in film history. Michael Shannon later reimagined the role in Man of Steel (2013).
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is General Zod. Bizarro is a flawed clone of Superman, Parasite drains powers through touch, and Metallo is a cyborg with a Kryptonite heart. General Zod is the Kryptonian military leader whose cry of “Kneel before Zod!” echoes through decades of Superman stories.
Mission Complete Your Kryptonian Record
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Are you the Man of Steel — or still stuck in a phone booth?
Just 32 days after its theatrical debut, Supergirl released on digital platforms today, July 28. It’s now available to watch at home for only $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to own forever through Prime Video, Apple, and other services. The new release is Supergirl‘s opportunity to create new fans and gain a stronger following.
Supergirl Could Find A Bigger Audience On Digital Than In Theaters
Milly Alcock as Supergirl turning around in Supergirl
As important as the box office is for theatrically released movies, it is not the only opportunity to make money for studios. The last few years have seen VOD releases become more popular with the general public. Whether its due to the cost of going to a theater, a concern over audience behavior, or other factors, movies like Supergirl can find more relevance once they go to digital.
There is now an ease of accessibility to the second DCU movie that can incentivize more people to check it out. Anyone who hasn’t already seen Supergirl or just wants to watch it again can now do so from the comfort of their own couch, and for a rather acceptable cost.
After Supergirl‘s mixed-to-negative reviews surfaced, there was a stronger likelihood that some people would choose to wait to see the movie at home versus traveling to a theater. That proved to be true based on the DC movie’s box office return. And while it is still in hundreds of theaters around the world, most who are just now ready to see Supergirl can take advantage of its digital release to do so.
That’s important for DC, as studios typically keep a much higher percentage of digital sales versus ticket sales. If Supergirl catches on well enough on digital, DC and WB could wind up taking a much smaller hit than $100 million loss early estimates based on the movie’s box office alone.
Why Supergirl Is Worth Watching At Home On Digital
Milly Alcock as Supergirl looking down
Despite the 58% that Supergirl holds on Rotten Tomatoes, there are redeeming qualities to the movie that make it worth checking it out now that its on digital. Anyone looking forward to what Gunn’s DCU has in store should at the very least watch the film to ensure it has the best possible chance of being considered a success internally at the studios.
In terms of what the movie itself offers, Milly Alcock’s Supergirl is a huge selling point. The House of the Dragon star delivers a great performance, showing Kara’s flaws and struggles. She proves to be a terrific casting choice and someone who can grow with Supergirl throughout future DCU appearances.
There is also fun to be had with Jason Momoa’s Lobo, who steals several scenes. David Corenswet’s Superman pops up briefly to remind us how great he is. A few action sequences turn out to be quite entertaining, while Kara’s bond with Ruthye (Eve Ridley) has been a highlight for several viewers. And with Supergirl returning in Man of Tomorrow, the movie will hold significance to understanding a key DCU hero.
Considering its sub-2 hour runtime, Supergirl doesn’t require a massive time commitment to check out either. And now that its available to buy or rent on digital, anyone intrigued to learn more about Kara after her Superman cameo or who just never got around to seeing it in theaters should make this a priority watch.
Release Date
June 26, 2026
Runtime
108 minutes
Director
Craig Gillespie
Writers
Ana Nogueira
Producers
James Gunn, Lars P. Winther, Nigel Gostelow, Peter Safran
