James Gunn assumed leadership at DC Studios within Warner Bros., tasked with revitalizing the cinematic universe. The director, known for his work on "Guardians of the Galaxy," was expected to implement a comprehensive creative vision, akin to the successful approach seen at Marvel Studios.
However, two films into Gunn's tenure, the reboot initiative appears to be encountering significant difficulties.
The 2025 release of "Superman" saw a moderate reception. While not the transformative success the studio or Gunn might have envisioned for the franchise, its box office performance and critical reviews were generally acceptable, albeit somewhat underwhelming. This outcome was perhaps influenced by Gunn's earlier statement describing the Superman character as an "immigrant," a comment that some found politically charged.
The true measure of Gunn's reboot strategy and the enduring appeal of the DC Studios brand, however, rested on the subsequent film, "Supergirl," starring Milly Alcock. Its performance has proven to be particularly challenging.
During the film's promotional campaign, lead actress Milly Alcock generated controversy with remarks perceived as alienating to potential viewers. She notably claimed that audiences felt "ownership" over her body, a statement she subsequently reiterated despite public backlash. Initial trailers for "Supergirl" also drew criticism, featuring what many described as a generic anti-hero narrative, subpar visual effects, and an unengaging plot and antagonist.
Despite these early concerns, industry projections as recently as May anticipated "Supergirl" could achieve an opening weekend gross of up to $65 million. In reality, the film debuted with just over $37 million.
With an estimated production budget of approximately $175 million and a substantial marketing expenditure likely exceeding $100 million from Warner Bros., the film required a global box office total of at least $450-500 million to reach profitability. The modest opening weekend, combined with a weak international debut, indicated the film was headed for substantial financial losses. Hopes for recovery hinged on positive word-of-mouth overcoming audience indifference to the plot and the off-putting statements from Alcock.
The recently released second-weekend box office figures suggest that positive audience buzz not only failed to materialize for "Supergirl," but its absence may have contributed to further decline.
Significant Box Office Decline for "Supergirl"
Friday's gross revenue for "Supergirl" plummeted by an extraordinary 80.4% from its opening day on June 26, earning only $3.6 million. Saturday's estimates showed another steep decline, dropping 77% to just $2.6 million, even amidst the Independence Day holiday period. Overall, the film experienced a remarkable 74% drop from its first to second weekend. "Supergirl"'s total domestic gross now stands at a mere $58.4 million. This performance is particularly striking for a major studio production with an estimated total cost of $275 million (combining production and extensive marketing), and the creative backing of James Gunn.
Should the third weekend follow a similar trajectory, the film's gross could fall to approximately $2.49 million for the entire weekend. A film that needed to exceed $200 million in U.S. theaters to break even now appears unlikely to reach even $80 million domestically. Considering its poor international performance, Warner Bros. is projected to incur hundreds of millions in losses.
"Young Washington" Emerges as a Counterpoint
In stark contrast, "Young Washington," a historical drama produced by Angel Studios depicting the early life and military career of George Washington, was made on a modest budget of just $20 million. According to the tracking site The Numbers, it grossed an estimated $21 million in its opening weekend. Playing in only 2,700 theaters, this translated to an impressive average of $7,721 per theater. "Supergirl," by comparison, recorded a per-theater average of just $2,665 during its second weekend. This disparity highlights the potential impact of public sentiment, especially in light of the lead actress's controversial public statements regarding character portrayals.
While "Young Washington" has received mixed reviews from critics, it boasts an exceptional 92% positive audience score. With such strong positive word-of-mouth, the question arises whether this lesser-known, minimally marketed, low-budget film could ultimately surpass "Supergirl" in domestic box office earnings.
Industry Implications and Audience Preferences
If the entertainment industry were to objectively assess these outcomes, the message from moviegoers appears clear. There was evidently limited demand for a "Supergirl" film, especially the version that was produced. Female audiences, often a challenging demographic for superhero films, showed little interest, while male viewers were either alienated by Alcock's divisive comments or unenthused by the uninspired trailers.
Conversely, "Young Washington" has achieved considerable success, suggesting a significant public appetite for narratives celebrating American history, its foundational figures, and national identity, particularly outside of what some describe as a progressive echo chamber within the entertainment sector.
Producing uninspired and unengaging stories, particularly when creators appear to disregard or even antagonize their potential audience, often leads to commercial failure. This appears to be the case for "Supergirl," which has proven to be a financial misstep. Meanwhile, a film with a fundamentally different approach is tracking towards substantial financial success. James Gunn's tenure at DC began with what some view as an avoidable misstep, followed by a project that could cost the studio as much as $200 million. The current struggles of two massive franchises, DC and Star Wars, underscore the challenging landscape of contemporary Hollywood.
