Supergirl Soars to No. 1 on Streaming After Bombing at Box Office
Overview & Key Takeaways
'Supergirl' is off to a strong start on HBO Max, debuting at the streamer's #1 spot for film
Supergirl seems to be off to a strong start on streaming. After a lackluster theatrical showing, the latest DC Studios film is finally available on HBO Max, where it will look to recoup its losses from a dismal box-office run. Following a Sept. 10 debut on the streamer, Supergirl has landed at number one on HBO Max's U.S. movies chart. It’s currently beating out Practical Magic, Fuze, Band of Brothers: Legacy, and The Last Samurai.
That said, according to FlixPatrol, the nearly 30-year-old Practical Magic is giving Supergirl a run for its money and is currently the number one film on the streaming service worldwide.It is undoubtedly getting a boost from the recent release of Practical Magic 2, which came out in theaters yesterday. Meanwhile, Despicable Me 3 continues to do alarmingly well, because Minions are eternal.
How much did Supergirl make at the box office?
Supergirl was released in theaters on June 26, where it earned $126.4 million against an estimated budget of $170 to $186 million. After accounting for marketing and other costs, films typically need to make double their production budget to be profitable. That said, there have been plenty of movies that did poorly at the box office before making up the difference with streaming and rental revenue, so it’s possible things aren’t as bleak as they seem. While critics praised Milly Alcock’s performance as Supergirl, the film received middling reviews, which likely hampered its box-office run.
What is Supergirl about?
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
Supergirl is a follow-up to 2025’s Superman, and it follows Kal-El’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, as she attempts to adjust to life on Earth. She takes up the mantle of Supergirl, but has a hard time settling on the planet and ends up spending most of her time getting drunk and partying in space. During one such escapade, she runs into a dangerous space bandit who poisons her dog, sending her on a quest to find an antidote and dissuade a young woman named Ruthye from seeking bloody vengeance.
Supergirl is the second film in the James-Gunn-led DC Universe (DCU) and is part of the cinematic universe’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters.” The DCU will look to get back on its feet with the upcoming horror flick Clayface, which is in theaters on Oct. 23. After that, Superman will get a direct sequel, Man of Tomorrow, which is set for July 9, 2027.
