The first wave of reviews for Supergirl has arrived on Rotten Tomatoes, and the news is not what DC Studios or James Gunn were hoping for.
As of publication, Supergirl sits at a 57% Rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 111 reviews, making it the first major theatrical release in Gunn’s new DC Universe to debut with a Rotten rating. The score currently breaks down to 63 positive reviews and 48 negative reviews, with an average rating of just 5.6 out of 10.
The Rotten Tomatoes Score for Supergirl as of 3:30 p.m. EST on June 24, 2026 – Rotten Tomatoes
That’s a far cry from the expectations many had for the film, especially after months of positive press surrounding star Milly Alcock and repeated claims that Supergirl would continue the supposed “momentum” established by Gunn’s DC reboot.
Instead, the reviews paint a picture of a movie that critics believe wastes its lead actress on a weak screenplay, forgettable villains, and underwhelming action sequences.
Critics Praise Milly Alcock While Tearing Apart the Movie Around Her
One of the most consistent themes emerging from the reviews is that Alcock’s performance is being singled out as one of the few bright spots.
Writing for the Seattle Times, Moira MacDonald gave the film a Fresh review but still admitted she left wanting more from the character than the movie itself delivered, saying she was intrigued by Kara and wanted to see more of the heroine moving forward.
Similarly, Manuel São Bento argued that Alcock carries the emotional weight of the entire film, praising her ability to shift between menace, humor, and vulnerability.
Unfortunately for DC Studios, many critics felt Alcock deserved a much better movie.
“A Shambolic Affair”
Among the harsher reviews was one from Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict, who wrote that Alcock “makes an energetic addition” to the DC Universe but argued that the actress wasn’t given a vehicle worthy of her talents.
Duralde described the movie as a “shambolic affair” plagued by “underwhelming action” and “forgettable antagonists.”
The poster for Supergirl – DC
That criticism has become a recurring complaint throughout many of the negative reviews.
Several reviewers argued that the film struggles to deliver memorable action despite being a massive superhero blockbuster, while others complained that its villains fail to leave much of an impression.
Critics Say Superhero Fatigue Is Becoming Impossible to Ignore
Some reviewers went even further, using Supergirl as evidence that the superhero genre itself may be running out of steam.
Writing for Argentina’s La Nación, Marcelo Stiletano said the film only entertains “in modest doses” and suggested it raises troubling questions about the future of what he described as an exhausted superhero genre.
Krypto the Super Dog in the Supergirl Trailer – YouTube, DC
Meanwhile, Otroscines critic Diego Batlle argued that Supergirl never rises above the most basic formulas of superhero filmmaking.
Those are particularly damaging criticisms given that Gunn’s DCU was supposed to represent a fresh start for comic book movies.
Instead, some critics appear to believe the film falls into many of the same traps audiences have complained about for years.
Variety Delivers One of the Harshest Reviews Yet
If the Rotten Tomatoes score wasn’t bad enough for DC Studios, one of Hollywood’s most influential trade publications delivered an absolutely brutal assessment of Supergirl.
In his review for Variety, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman didn’t simply dislike the movie—he called it “super-horrendous” right in the headline and described the film as having a “terrible script” wrapped in a “punk rock” attitude of corporate pretension.
While Gleiberman praised Milly Alcock’s screen presence, he argued that the character is written so thinly that audiences may struggle to become invested in her journey. He also blasted the film’s central story, sarcastically reducing the entire plot to little more than “Kill Krem! Save the dog!” before concluding that the movie is “full of action yet numbingly flat.”
Supergirl using Heat Vision in the Supergirl trailer – YouTube, DC
Perhaps most damaging was his criticism of James Gunn’s handling of the DC Universe. Gleiberman pointed out that Gunn repeatedly promised stronger screenplays would separate the new DCU from the superhero fatigue that plagued the genre in recent years. Yet the critic argued Supergirl does the exact opposite, writing that Gunn’s second DCU theatrical outing features “the worst script I can remember.”
The review concludes with a stinging final verdict, accusing the film of desperately trying to appear edgy and rebellious while ultimately failing to deliver anything fresh. According to Gleiberman, Supergirl wants to be “punk rock,” but instead is simply a “punk crock.”
One Critic Takes a Shot at James Gunn’s Superman
Perhaps the most brutal review came from Donald Clarke of the Irish Times.
While reviewing Supergirl, Clarke took a direct shot at Gunn’s previous DC film, writing that Supergirl is “more endurable” than Gunn’s Superman but adding that this is hardly an accomplishment.
Superman wounded in the snow in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
For a filmmaker tasked with launching an entirely new shared universe, that’s not the type of commentary Warner Bros. Discovery was hoping to see attached to one of its flagship releases.
A Troubling Start for DC’s Next Big Hero
The Rotten Tomatoes score is particularly notable because industry observers had expected Supergirl to land somewhere in Fresh territory. Prediction markets and industry watchers had generally anticipated a score above 60%, with some forecasts previously climbing much higher before dropping sharply as reactions began emerging.
Instead, Supergirl enters theaters carrying a Rotten rating and a review consensus that can best be described as mixed at best.
A screen capture from the Supergirl trailer – YouTube @dcofficial
While many critics clearly see star potential in Milly Alcock’s performance as Kara Zor-El, a growing number appear convinced that the movie surrounding her simply isn’t good enough.
With the film already facing soft box office tracking heading into release weekend, the Rotten Tomatoes debut gives DC Studios another hurdle to overcome as it attempts to convince audiences that Supergirl is worth a trip to the theater.
Are you surprised by these Supergirl Rotten Tomatoes reviews? Sound off and let us know!
