Supergirl reviews arrive: 60% on Rotten Tomatoes amid mixed critical reception

Supergirl reviews have hit Rotten Tomatoes with the film sitting at 60% fresh from critics, reflecting a mixed critical reception that suggests the DC Studios film faces an uphill battle at the box office.

With the embargo lifted, critics have begun weighing in on the second DC Universe blockbuster. Early scores show a wide range of opinions, from modest praise to significant criticism. While some reviewers highlighted lead actress Millie Alcock as the film's best asset, many expressed disappointment with the overall execution.

Critical Response

Early reviews show scores ranging from 2.5 to 7 out of 10. Several critics praised Alcock's performance, with Elliot Collins noting she "proves that she's the right choice for Kara" despite being "stuck in an underwhelming movie." Kate Urbland gave it a B, saying it "stands out," and BJ awarded it a 7 out of 10.

However, others were harsher. Owen Gberman noted that "save the dog" and "save the world" are the only interesting elements of the plot, which he found convoluted. Jason Flat scored it 4 out of 10, though acknowledged "Millie Alcock single-handedly ensures that it isn't" worse. Matt Singer called it "a DC disappointment."

Box Office Tracking

The mixed reviews align with concerning box office projections. Supergirl is tracking for an opening between 47 to 50 million domestically, down from earlier projections of 55 million. Overseas forecasts suggest 27 to 39 million, putting the worldwide opening at 80 to 90 million. The film carries a 170 million production budget before marketing costs.

This opening would position it below recent DC films like The Flash and Shazam: Fury of the Gods, and it faces stiff competition from Toy Story 5, which is expected to dominate the box office. Without strong legs or word-of-mouth momentum, observers doubt the film will recover.

The Rotten Tomatoes Problem

The 60% score reflects a fundamental issue with the review aggregation system. Many critics awarded 3 out of 5 stars, a "just okay" rating, which registers as fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. This means a film where every critic says "it's fine, nothing special" can score higher than one where critics are more sharply divided between liking and disliking it.

Broader DC Universe Concerns

The film's reception raises questions about James Gunn's strategy for the DCU. With only Superman in theatres so far, the studio lacks the accumulated trust Marvel Studios built before launching Guardians of the Galaxy with an obscure character. Critics and audiences wonder why the second DCU film focuses on Supergirl rather than establishing core heroes like Wonder Woman or Batman, though The Batman films exist outside the connected universe.

Box office observers note that Supergirl needed strong reviews to overcome its early tracking numbers. Instead, the 60% score and lack of enthusiastic endorsements suggest word-of-mouth will remain modest as the film opens against stronger competition. The verdict: a challenging weekend ahead for DC Studios.