James Gunn’s DC Universe desperately needed a win. Instead, Supergirl has taken its first box office flight with numbers that are raising even more questions about the future of Warner Bros.’ rebooted superhero franchise.
According to Variety, Supergirl earned just $7.8 million in Thursday preview screenings ahead of its opening weekend.
While early industry estimates had the film opening between $47 million and $50 million domestically, the latest tracking has become even more pessimistic, with several analysts now suggesting Supergirl could struggle to reach $40 million. If those projections hold, the film’s $7.8 million preview haul becomes even more concerning for a production carrying a reported $170 million budget before marketing costs.
Perhaps the most revealing comparison isn’t another DC movie. It’s Disney’s The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Even Disney’s Star Wars Bomb Opened Higher
Only a month ago, The Mandalorian and Grogu was widely viewed as one of Disney’s biggest theatrical disappointments in years.
The film opened to $12 million in Thursday previews, significantly ahead of Supergirl’s $7.8 million. The Mandalorian and Grogu still went on to struggle commercially and was broadly viewed as falling well short of expectations for a modern Star Wars theatrical release.
That comparison should alarm Warner Bros.
If a Star Wars film with recognizable characters and a larger preview haul couldn’t generate the kind of momentum Disney wanted, what does it say about Supergirl opening more than 35% lower?
The answer is obvious.
Audience interest simply doesn’t appear to be where Warner Bros. hoped it would be for the second theatrical entry in Gunn’s new DC Universe.
James Gunn’s Momentum Appears to Be Slipping
When Gunn took over DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, the promise was clear.
This would be a fresh start, a connected universe, and a return to consistent blockbuster success.
Instead, each release on the big and small screens have faced increasing scrutiny.
Jason Momoa as Lobo in a Supergirl ad – YouTube @dcofficial
Superman became one of the year’s most hotly debated films, dividing audiences despite respectable box office numbers. Now Supergirl appears to be opening with substantially less enthusiasm than Warner Bros. likely anticipated.
The film stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El and introduces Jason Momoa as Lobo, but neither appears to have generated the level of excitement usually associated with a major comic book tentpole.
Instead of building momentum from Superman, Supergirl appears to be arriving with considerably less audience demand.
The Budget Makes These Numbers Even Harder to Ignore
Preview grosses don’t determine a movie’s final fate. Strong word of mouth can always change the trajectory. Unfortunately, Supergirl isn’t generating any kind of positive word of mouth.
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But previews do provide one of the clearest snapshots of opening-night demand.
For a film reportedly costing around $170 million before worldwide marketing expenses, a $7.8 million preview figure is difficult to celebrate.
Warner Bros. still needs Supergirl to perform well internationally if it hopes to justify the investment. Yet the opening signs suggest the climb could be much steeper than the studio expected.
A Critical Test for the DC Universe
Perhaps the biggest issue isn’t whether Supergirl eventually reaches the high end of weekend projections.
It’s what these numbers suggest about the overall direction of the franchise.
The second film in a cinematic universe is typically expected to build on the excitement created by the first.
Supergirl using Heat Vision in the Supergirl trailer – YouTube, DC
Instead, Supergirl appears to be generating less urgency than a Star Wars movie that many analysts have already labeled one of Disney’s biggest theatrical disappointments of the modern era.
That’s not the comparison Warner Bros. wanted.
James Gunn’s DC Universe was supposed to signal a new beginning. Instead, Supergirl’s preview box office numbers suggest the franchise may already be facing an uphill battle.
The full opening weekend will ultimately determine just how serious the situation becomes. But if these preview numbers are any indication, Warner Bros. may have far bigger problems than simply winning the weekend box office.
How do you think Supergirl will do in its opening box office? Sound off and let us know!
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