‘Supergirl’ Streaming Success on HBO Max After Box Office Struggles

DC Studios’ revamped cinematic universe has faced challenges since James Gunn and Peter Safran took charge, with each new release under scrutiny as the studio seeks to establish its identity. Following the critically acclaimed debut of ‘Superman’ last year, the pressure was on the follow-up to maintain that momentum.

That follow-up, ‘Supergirl,’ hit theaters this past June but experienced significant box office disappointment, failing to meet expectations during its short theatrical run. For a studio still trying to solidify its long-term vision, a setback this early in the DCU’s rollout could have overshadowed previous successes.

Now, months after its rocky start, the film has found surprising new life. ‘Supergirl’ has officially premiered on HBO Max and quickly become a global streaming hit, securing the number one position on the platform in numerous countries.

According to tracking data from FlixPatrol, ‘Supergirl’ currently ranks as the second most-watched movie on HBO Max worldwide, while dominating the charts in 23 individual countries. This turnaround is impressive for a film that grossed only $126.4 million globally during its theatrical run, which was significantly below the $100 million to $120 million loss some analysts had predicted for the studio.

‘Supergirl’ debuted domestically with $37.1 million from around 3,600 North American theaters, ultimately finishing its run with $62.6 million in the U.S. and $126 million worldwide. The film received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences, currently holding a 53 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 373 reviews, with a slightly better 72 percent audience score.

Despite the disappointing box office performance, DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran expressed confidence in the film’s broader strategy, viewing it as part of a long-term plan rather than a standalone measure of success. This perspective seems to be validated now that the film has attracted a significantly larger audience through streaming.

Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, ‘Supergirl’ loosely adapts Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s “Woman of Tomorrow” comic, following Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El on an interstellar quest for revenge alongside Eve Ridley’s Ruthye Marye Knoll. This film marks Alcock’s first lead role in the DCU after her introduction in 2025’s ‘Superman,’ with David Corenswet reprising his role as the Man of Steel and Jason Momoa making his debut as bounty hunter Lobo.

‘Supergirl’ began streaming on HBO Max on September 10, approximately eleven weeks after its theatrical release, with an HBO linear premiere and American Sign Language version following closely behind. This timeline aligns with the typical turnaround for Warner Bros. films transitioning from theaters to the streaming platform.

The film’s newfound popularity on streaming coincides with another significant DCU release, as the animated series “Krypto Saves the Day!” launched its second season on the same day. This series draws direct inspiration from “Supergirl,” providing newly engaged viewers with a seamless next step within the DC Universe.

Given the film’s strong streaming performance despite its theatrical challenges, Alcock’s future in the DCU seems secure, regardless of box office results. She has already been confirmed to reprise her role in 2027’s “Man of Tomorrow,” indicating that this streaming momentum could reshape how both audiences and the studio perceive “Supergirl’s” overall standing within the franchise moving forward.

For a film that seemed destined to be remembered primarily as an early misstep, this resurgence on streaming offers DC Studios a genuinely hopeful sign as it enters the next phase of its shared universe. Whether this streaming success will translate into greater box office confidence for future DCU releases remains uncertain, but for now, ‘Supergirl’ has undoubtedly found its audience.

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