Hollywood may have another superhero headache on its hands.
Early box office projections for DC Studios’ upcoming “Supergirl” film are raising alarms, with pre-release tracking suggesting the movie could open well below expectations despite being one of Warner Bros.’ biggest releases of the year. According to industry tracking cited by OutKick, the film is currently pacing for a domestic opening in the $40 million to $50 million range.
The weak projections come as Warner Bros. and DC attempt to build momentum following the launch of James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe. “Supergirl” is scheduled to hit theaters on June 26 and stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin.
The disappointing tracking numbers have sparked concern among industry observers, particularly given the film’s reported importance to the studio’s long-term superhero plans. OutKick noted that the projections place the movie well behind what many analysts expected for a major DC release.
Adding to the controversy are comments Alcock made during promotional appearances that sparked online backlash. Critics accused the actress of injecting divisive political and cultural themes into the marketing campaign at a time when studios are increasingly facing criticism from audiences who say Hollywood is prioritizing messaging over entertainment.
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The film is directed by Craig Gillespie and is based on the “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” comic series. Along with Alcock, the cast includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, and Jason Momoa. The movie is positioned as the second major film entry in DC’s new cinematic universe.
The underwhelming projections also arrive as Hollywood continues to struggle with superhero fatigue. Several recent comic-book films have failed to meet expectations at the box office, forcing studios to rethink budgets and release strategies.
Whether “Supergirl” can overcome the soft tracking remains to be seen. Pre-release estimates often fluctuate in the weeks leading up to a film’s debut, particularly if marketing campaigns generate positive buzz.
Still, with Warner Bros. betting heavily on its new DC slate, executives will be watching closely to see whether “Supergirl” can build momentum before opening weekend or if it becomes the latest example of a once-dominant genre losing its grip on moviegoers.
