‘Supergirl’ Projected to Earn $40 Million in Opening Weekend, Significantly Underperforming Pre‑Release Estimates
Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero film “Supergirl,” starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor‑El, debuted with an estimated $18 million opening weekend domestically, well below the $40 million high‑end projection released earlier in the year and far below the $40 million to $55 million range forecast by industry analysts.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, known for “I, Tonya” and “Cruella,” the film stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor‑El/Supergirl and also features Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, Matthias Schoenaerts as the villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, Jason Momoa as mercenary Lobo, and David Corenswet in a brief supporting role as Clark Kent/Superman. The film, rated PG‑13, was released nationwide in just over 3,600 North American theaters.
The film earned $7.8 million from special fan screenings on Wednesday and a $7.8 million preview on Thursday, bringing its opening‑weekend domestic total to an estimated $18 million, well short of the $40 million to $55 million forecast that Warner Bros. had previously circulated. The studio projects a $40 million total through Sunday, while industry analysts such as Deadline initially estimated an opening of $55 million or more, and Variety projected an opening in the $47 million‑$50 million range.
“Supergirl” carries a production budget of $170 million before worldwide marketing costs, positioning it as a high‑budget entry in the DC lineup. It will debut at No. 2 at the domestic box office, trailing behind “Toy Story 5,” which is projected to earn $74 million in its second weekend. The film’s underperformance contrasts sharply with the strong opening of “Toy Story 5,” which is projected to earn $74 million in its second weekend from 4,425 theaters.
