‘Superman’ vs. ‘Supergirl’ Box Office Battle Highlights Unexpected DCU Trends

The DC Universe has delivered two Kryptonian blockbusters within a year, and the box office numbers reveal a narrative that many fans didn’t foresee. James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ premiered first, and now Milly Alcock’s ‘Supergirl’ has debuted, leading to a natural comparison between the two cousins.

When examining critics’ scores, audience feedback, and box office figures, the disparity between these two superhero tales is more significant than fans might think. Here’s how the Man of Steel and the Girl of Steel truly compare.

On Rotten Tomatoes, ‘Superman’ boasts an impressive 83 percent critics score from 502 reviews, along with a robust 90 percent audience score based on over 25,000 verified ratings. Critics have praised the film for developing a vibrant new world while showcasing its hero’s heartfelt nature.

In contrast, ‘Supergirl’ presents a different critical narrative, holding a cooler 58 percent score from 197 reviews, with audiences slightly more lenient at a 77 percent score from over 500 verified ratings. Critic David Fear commended the film’s tone, while Empire’s Leila Latif noted that Milly Alcock’s portrayal of a hungover hero is charming, even if the film doesn’t fully embrace its potential.

Not all reviews have been favorable; Rogers TV criticized the action as sluggish and incoherent, although even that reviewer acknowledged that Milly Alcock carries the film. This divide indicates that ‘Superman’ resonated with mainstream critics in a way that ‘Supergirl’ has yet to achieve.

The box office figures tell their own story. ‘Superman’ opened domestically with $125 million and has since reached a total of $354.2 million. Internationally, the film added another $264.5 million, bringing its global total to $618.7 million worldwide.

Meanwhile, ‘Supergirl’ debuted in 3,602 theaters, opening to $18.4 million on its first Friday and settling into a domestic three-day total of $37.1 million. The daily breakdown shows a significant drop, with a 41.3 percent decline on Saturday and another 26.9 percent on Sunday, indicating initial interest but lacking sustained momentum.

With an international total of $25.5 million, ‘Supergirl’ has reached a worldwide total of $62.6 million so far. This is a fraction of what ‘Superman’ had earned by the same point in its release, putting pressure on ‘Supergirl’ to maintain its performance in the coming weeks.

The differences in cast and direction also shape the reception of both films. ‘Superman’ was written and directed by James Gunn, featuring David Corenswet as the titular hero, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film also introduced Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, creating a cast designed to expand the DC Universe.

In contrast, ‘Supergirl’ was directed by Craig Gillespie, with James Gunn producing alongside Peter Safran, and a script by Ana Nogueira. Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El, supported by Jason Momoa as Lobo, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, and Matthias Schoenaerts.

Audience reactions have largely favored Momoa, with one viewer calling his portrayal of Lobo the highlight of the film, while describing the rest of the plot as a typical fetch quest. Another viewer compared the two films directly, expressing enjoyment of ‘Superman’ for its cheesiness and campiness, while finding ‘Supergirl’ less memorable.

Looking ahead for the DC Universe, ‘Superman’ runs for 2 hours and 9 minutes with a reported budget of $225 million, and its $618.7 million worldwide total signifies a clear victory for Warner Bros and DC Studios. The film’s strong critics score and audience affection for Krypto have established it as a model for modern Superman narratives.

Conversely, ‘Supergirl’ has a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. While its opening figures are commendable for a character-driven spinoff, the sharp weekend decline and 58 percent critics score indicate that the film is struggling to keep pace with its predecessor’s cultural momentum. Some fans on Rotten Tomatoes have already pointed out issues with pacing and a forgettable side character, despite praising Alcock and Momoa individually.

Whether ‘Supergirl’ can gain traction in the coming weeks or becomes the more contentious entry in the evolving DC Universe will largely depend on word of mouth. With both films now released, which Kryptonian cousin has captured your loyalty: Kara’s chaotic revenge story or Clark’s heartfelt return?