‘Supergirl’ Receives One of the Lowest CinemaScores in DC History

‘Supergirl’ has debuted with a B- CinemaScore, as revealed by audience polling on opening night. This score places the film among the lower tier of recent DC releases, indicating a mixed response from moviegoers despite the strong anticipation leading up to its release.

Released on June 26, the film is directed by Craig Gillespie and penned by Ana Nogueira. It marks the second film in the new DC Universe (DCU) and features Milly Alcock in the role of Kara Zor-El / Supergirl.

In this iteration, Supergirl embarks on a galaxy-spanning quest for revenge, presenting a darker portrayal of the character compared to previous DC films. The cast includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa, with production led by DC Studios heads Peter Safran and James Gunn.

The B- CinemaScore is significant as it falls below many recent DC films. For context, 2025’s ‘Superman’, also produced by James Gunn and featuring David Corenswet, received an A- CinemaScore from audiences, which was viewed as a solid but not outstanding result for the rebooted DCU.

Historically, DC films have received a wide range of audience scores. ‘The Batman’ (2022) earned an A-, while ‘Justice League’ (2017) and ‘Birds of Prey’ (2020) both received B+ scores. More controversial films like ‘Joker’ (2019) surprisingly achieved a strong B+, despite its darker themes.

In comparison, ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016) scored a B, and ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ (2020) also earned a B+, indicating that most DC films generally fall within the B to B+ range, even when critical reception varies significantly.

Given this context, ‘Supergirl’s’ B- score places it slightly below the franchise’s typical audience ratings. While it is not the lowest CinemaScore in DC history, it ranks among the weaker modern results, particularly for a major launch in a new cinematic universe.

Critical reception has also been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 57% score based on 254 reviews, with an average rating of 5.60/10. The consensus highlights that while Milly Alcock brings vigor to her role, the film struggles to deliver a compelling narrative. Metacritic assigns it a score of 49 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews.

Critics have expressed differing opinions on the film’s direction. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “pedestrian mainframe narrative” and criticized its emotional depth. Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood noted that the film’s tone and effects often detract from the story. Owen Gleiberman of Variety was more critical, labeling the plot as thin and unengaging.

Other reviewers pointed out similar shortcomings. Tomris Laffly of RogerEbert.com called it a “shallow blockbuster that never takes flight.” Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent remarked that the film lacks a distinct identity, while Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times referred to it as a “hot mess” filled with chaos.

Nevertheless, not all feedback was negative. Kate Erbland of IndieWire commended the film’s ambition, and Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian awarded it three out of five stars, noting that there are moments where the franchise “can fly.” David Fear of Rolling Stone also mentioned that the film shows promise when it embraces its ideas rather than adhering to formula.

‘Supergirl’s’ opening presents a mixed start for the new DCU, as Warner Bros. and DC Studios continue to develop their shared universe. With audience and critic reactions split, the film’s performance will likely influence early expectations for the franchise’s future direction.

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