‘Supergirl’ Becomes a Streaming Sensation on HBO Max After Box Office Disappointment

DC Studios’ rebuilt cinematic universe has had a rocky road to travel since James Gunn and Peter Safran took the reins, with each new release facing intense scrutiny as the studio works to establish its footing. Following last year’s critically praised launch with ‘Superman,’ the pressure was squarely on the follow-up to prove the momentum could actually last.

That follow-up, ‘Supergirl,‘ arrived in theaters this past June carrying real box office disappointment, falling well short of expectations during its brief theatrical run. For a studio still working to prove its long-term vision, a stumble this early in the DCU’s rollout could have easily overshadowed everything that came before it.

Now, months after that rocky debut, the film has found unexpected new life. ‘Supergirl’ has officially landed on HBO Max and quickly become a global streaming sensation, holding the number one spot on the platform in several countries around the world.

According to tracking data from FlixPatrol, ‘Supergirl’ currently ranks as the second most-watched movie on HBO Max worldwide, while claiming the top spot in 23 individual countries. That’s a remarkable turnaround for a film that grossed just $126.4 million globally during its theatrical run, falling well short of the $100 million to $120 million loss some analysts projected for the studio.

‘Supergirl’ opened domestically to $37.1 million from roughly 3,600 North American theaters before finishing its run with $62.6 million in the U.S. and $126 million worldwide. Reception from both critics and audiences was similarly mixed, with the film currently sitting at 53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes based on 373 reviews, alongside a slightly warmer 72 percent audience score.

Despite the theatrical shortfall, DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran remained publicly confident in the broader strategy behind the film’s release, framing it as one component of a longer-term plan for the studio rather than a standalone measure of success. That messaging appears to be holding up now that the film has found a considerably 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 revenge mission alongside Eve Ridley’s Ruthye Marye Knoll. The 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 debuting as bounty hunter Lobo.

‘Supergirl’ officially began streaming on HBO Max on September 10, roughly eleven weeks after its theatrical debut, with an HBO linear premiere and American Sign Language version following shortly after. That timeline reflects a fairly standard turnaround window for Warner Bros. releases moving from theaters to the platform.

The film’s newfound streaming popularity arrives alongside another notable DCU release, with the animated series “Krypto Saves the Day!” premiering its second season on the same day. That series draws direct inspiration from “Supergirl,” giving newly engaged viewers an easy next stop within the same corner of the DC Universe.

Given how strongly the film has performed on streaming despite its theatrical struggles, Alcock’s future within the DCU appears secure regardless of the box office outcome. She’s already confirmed to return for a key role in 2027’s “Man of Tomorrow,” suggesting this newfound streaming momentum could help reshape how audiences and the studio itself view “Supergirl’s” overall place within the franchise moving forward.

For a film that seemed destined to be remembered primarily as an early misstep, this second life on streaming offers DC Studios a genuinely encouraging sign heading into the next phase of its shared universe. Whether that streaming success translates into stronger box office confidence for future DCU releases remains to be seen, but for now, “Supergirl” has clearly found its audience.