‘Supergirl’ Lands One of the Lowest CinemaScores in DC History
Supergirl has opened with a B- CinemaScore, according to audience polling conducted on opening night. The result places the film among the lower tier of recent DC releases, signaling a mixed reaction from moviegoers despite strong anticipation ahead of its debut.
The film, released on June 26, is directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira. It is the second film in the new DC Universe (DCU) and stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl.
In the story, Supergirl travels across the galaxy on a violent path of revenge, a darker take on the character than previous versions seen in DC films. The cast also includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa. The film is produced by DC Studios heads Peter Safran and James Gunn.
The CinemaScore grade is notable because it sits below many recent DC entries. For comparison, 2025’s Superman, also produced by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, earned an A- CinemaScore from audiences, which was seen as a solid but not exceptional result for the rebooted DCU.
Earlier DC films have had a wide range of audience scores. The Batman (2022) earned a A-, Justice League (2017) received a B+, while Birds of Prey (2020) landed a B+. More divisive entries such as Joker (2019) surprisingly achieved a strong B+, despite its darker tone and controversy.
Meanwhile, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) scored a B, and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) also received a B+, showing that most DC films typically fall between B and B+ even when critical reception varies widely.
Against that background, Supergirl’s B- places it slightly below the franchise’s usual audience range. It is not the lowest CinemaScore in DC history, but it is among the weaker modern results, especially for a major launch in a new cinematic universe.
Critical response has also been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 57% score from 254 reviews, with an average rating of 5.60/10. The consensus notes that Milly Alcock brings energy to the role, but the film struggles to fully match her performance with a strong story. Metacritic gives it a 49 out of 100, signaling mixed or average reviews.
Reviewers have been divided on the film’s direction. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “pedestrian mainframe narrative” and criticized its lack of emotional depth. Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood said the film’s tone and effects often get in the way of the story. Owen Gleiberman of Variety was more negative, calling the plot thin and unengaging.
Other critics pointed to similar issues. Tomris Laffly of RogerEbert.com called it a “shallow blockbuster that never takes flight.” Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent said the film lacks a clear identity, while Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times labeled it a “hot mess” with too much chaos.
Still, not all reactions were negative. Kate Erbland of IndieWire praised the film’s ambition, while Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave it three out of five stars, saying there are moments where the franchise “can fly.” David Fear of Rolling Stone also noted that the film shows potential when it leans into its ideas rather than formula.
Supergirl’s opening marks a mixed start for the new DCU, especially as Warner Bros. and DC Studios continue building their shared universe. While audience and critic reactions are divided, the film’s performance will likely shape early expectations for the franchise’s direction moving forward.
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