DCU’s ‘Supergirl’ Officially Rated PG-13 — Insights on the Upcoming Film

Age ratings have gained significant importance for superhero films in recent years. These movies have evolved beyond simple comic book adventures aimed at children.

Studios are now incorporating darker themes, stronger language, and more intense action, making ratings like PG-13 or R crucial for informing audiences about the nature of the story.

The upcoming DC Universe film Supergirl has officially received a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association. This rating is attributed to strong violence, action, language, and smoking, providing fans with a clearer understanding of the film’s tone ahead of its release.

Supergirl is based on the DC Comics character Kara Zor-El, directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira. This film is part of the new DC Universe lineup and is set to be the second major film in the franchise, produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran under DC Studios.

Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl. The cast features Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa. The film will also introduce Krypto, Supergirl’s super-powered dog, who first appears in the DCU film Superman (2025).

According to the official premise, the story follows Kara Zor-El on her 23rd birthday as she travels across space. Her journey is not merely for exploration; she encounters a young girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll, and after a tragic event, she embarks on a violent quest for revenge. This narrative direction hints at the PG-13 rating’s emphasis on strong action and violence.

Milly Alcock’s portrayal of Supergirl is distinct from Superman. Unlike her cousin Clark Kent, Kara did not grow up on Earth; she survived Krypton’s destruction and witnessed the loss of her world and people. This background has contributed to her being more hardened and emotionally complex. James Gunn has characterized her as a more edgy and “attitudinal” character compared to Clark.

The rating also notes smoking, aligning with earlier descriptions of Kara’s character. In this version, she is depicted as someone who travels across planets and occasionally engages in reckless or self-destructive behaviors, enhancing the film’s mature tone compared to previous DC superhero narratives.

Jason Momoa portrays Lobo, a violent alien bounty hunter, further intensifying the film’s action focus. Other significant characters include Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley, who becomes entwined in Supergirl’s revenge journey, and Krem of the Yellow Hills, portrayed by Matthias Schoenaerts, who serves as the main antagonist. The story also connects to Krypton through Supergirl’s parents, played by David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham.

The film draws inspiration from the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, published between 2021 and 2022. This comic already featured a darker and more emotional tone, focusing on themes of grief, revenge, and survival in space. The movie adaptation continues this direction, which helps clarify the PG-13 rating rather than a lower family-friendly classification.

The development of Supergirl has undergone several changes over the years. Initial versions were intended to be part of the DC Extended Universe, but the project was reworked when James Gunn and Peter Safran took the helm at DC Studios. They reshaped the DC Universe into a new connected storyline, with Supergirl becoming a key element of this new vision.

Milly Alcock was eventually cast as Kara Zor-El, and she is also expected to appear in the DCU’s Superman (2025) before leading her own film. Filming for Supergirl took place in 2025 across various locations in England and Scotland, including Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.

The movie is currently slated for release on June 26, 2026, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It will be part of DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, marking a significant milestone in the rebooted universe.

With its PG-13 rating, Supergirl is anticipated to feature intense action sequences, emotional storytelling, and darker themes than typical superhero films, while still remaining accessible to a broad audience.

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