Supergirl: Her Story, Powers & Why We Love Her
Photo: TMDb · TMDb
MovieBuzz News
July 26, 2026
One Month In: How ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ Is Flying at the Box Office
One month after its June 26 release, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has landed with force. Kara Zor-El’s big-screen debut opened to $85 million domestically and $120 million overseas - a global launch of $205 million. By July 26, that total climbed to $375 million, propelled by sustained word-of-mouth. The numbers outpace Birds of Prey and pandemic-adjusted Wonder Woman 1984, all on a reported $130 million budget.
Critical reception, however, splits. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 68% - fresh, but far from unanimous. Some reviewers call the film unconventionally paced or too artsy for a superhero movie. Yet audience scores blaze at 87%. Director Craig Gillespie leaned into the indie-western vibe of Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s source material. Those who loved Logan tend to adore it; those expecting Man of Steel 2.0 feel shortchanged. Verified ticket buyers dub Milly Alcock’s performance a coronation and call it the most emotionally honest DC film since The Suicide Squad. For box office details, see our Supergirl box office tracker and the Deadline report.
Milly Alcock’s Star-Making Turn as Kara Zor-El
When DC Studios cast House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock in January 2024, fan skepticism ran high. She was a young unknown next to Flashpoint-level star power like Margot Robbie. One month into release, the doubters have fallen silent.
Alcock brings a scrappy, wounded intensity to Kara. This Supergirl isn’t the chipper cousin of the ’80s; she’s a traumatized survivor of Krypton’s destruction, adrift in the cosmos until a young alien girl named Ruthye recruits her for a revenge quest. Alcock sells loneliness with quiet fierceness, then shifts to genuine warmth as she bonds with Ruthye. Variety calls her “a revelation - equal parts fierce and fragile.” The Hollywood Reporter notes she “owns every frame with a gravitas that belies her 25 years.” Social media buzz - dubbed “Alcockmania” - spreads memes of her scowling in the rain. Her chemistry with newcomer Ella-Rae Smith anchors the story. If the DCU wants a Supergirl sequel, locking down Alcock now seems urgent. Read our full deep dive on Milly Alcock’s career and the Variety review.
Where Does ‘Supergirl’ Fit in the New DC Universe?
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is no standalone side story. James Gunn and Peter Safran are building a shared universe, and this film serves as a crucial gear.
Connections to James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ (2025) and Future Slate
Remember the post-credits scene in Superman (July 2025) where David Corenswet’s Clark Kent discovers a pod in the arctic? That first glimpse of Kara leads into Woman of Tomorrow, which unfolds after that film but works as a side story, not a direct sequel. Superman is mentioned but never seen. Easter eggs litter the frame: a reference to the Authority’s relocation of Mars, a cameo by a new Green Lantern (Jo Mullein), and a hologram message from a red-caped hero. The film also introduces Ruthye Mary Knoll, who comic fans know will become a key ally in future Legion of Super-Heroes projects.
Setting Up ‘Chapter One: Gods and Monsters’
DC Studios’ Chapter One slate hinges on Earth’s protectorate of superhumans - the “Gods and Monsters” concept. Supergirl establishes the cosmic side. Villain Krem of the Yellow Hills (Dan Stevens, nearly unrecognizable) is a psychopathic scavenger whose actions ripple into The Brave and the Bold (Batman) sequel and the upcoming The Authority movie. Craig Gillespie has teased that the final act directly sets up a cosmic threat unresolved until the Justice League event film in 2028. If you haven’t seen Supergirl yet, you’re missing a puzzle piece. Track the full DCU timeline on our DC Universe hub and catch our interview with Craig Gillespie.
What are your thoughts on Supergirl’s debut? Drop your hot takes in the comments - just no third-act spoilers, please. We still haven’t caught it in IMAX yet. Slackers, we know.
