‘Supergirl’ Falters at the Box Office, Testing DC Studios’ Reboot
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Warner Bros.' "Supergirl," with a $170 million production budget, underperformed at the box office, earning about $38 million domestically over the weekend, 24% below already modest projections, and an additional $30 million internationally.
- The film received poor critical reception, holding a "rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B-minus CinemaScore from audiences, reflecting widespread disappointment.
- Female-led superhero movies have faced consistent rejection in recent years, possibly due to a resurgence of misogyny within the predominantly male fan base, with "Supergirl" experiencing significant online backlash against lead actress Milly Alcock.
- Despite the setback, DC Studios co-chairman Peter Safran emphasized confidence in the studio's long-term strategy, viewing "Supergirl" as just one part of a broader plan.
- Overall, the U.S. and Canadian box office showed signs of recovery post-pandemic, with weekend ticket sales up 18% from the previous year, even as "Supergirl" struggled.
