Back on June 26, 2026, the world was introduced to the second-ever film in the new DC Universe. After Clark Kent took the spotlight for himself and saved Metropolis from a cataclysmic, interdimensional rupture in Superman (2025), it was the perfect time for his cousin to take over the big screen. Supergirl attempted to soar high and give Warner Bros. yet another victory for its new cinematic universe, but it couldn't quite accomplish this goal.
Supergirl had a heavily underwhelming domestic opening weekend, falling short of its initial expectations of grossing $50 million. Instead, the film grossed $38 million during its first days in the United States, and the situation didn't improve in international markets. Supergirl is shy of crossing the $100 million mark at the worldwide box office nearly two weeks after its release, meaning it is all but confirmed it won't reach its goal of grossing $300 million.
DC Studios co-CEO and co-chairman Peter Safran released a statement acknowledging Supergirl's failure and reiterating his commitment to the franchise. Needless to say, the Girl of Steel's latest adventure hasn't been the success Warner Bros. hoped it would be, and that idea could be reflected in the film's digital release date.
Supergirl is reportedly targeting a July 28 digital release
Multiple sources are reporting that Supergirl will get a digital release as early as Jul. 28, 2026, barely a month after the movie first hit theaters. While Warner Bros. hasn't confirmed those suspicions just yet, it seems like the best move considering the film's box office results and the fierce competition coming its way.
To put that in perspective, here are the shortest windows of time between DC films' theatrical releases and their PVOD digital debuts. With the exception of one, there is a very clear trend:
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023): 21 days
- The Flash (2023): 28 days
- Supergirl (2026): 32 days (expected)
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023): 32 days
- Black Adam (2023): 32 days
- Superman (2025) - 35 days
- Blue Beetle (2023) - 39 days
With the exception of Superman, which was rushed out onto a digital release despite a super successful box office (to catch DC fans up on the DC Universe before Peacemaker season 2), those films are not good company for Supergirl to be among. The vast amjority of them were notorious box office bombs while the likes of Black Adam and Blue Beetle still massively underperformed. And with that, DC's strategy to recoup some of its losses with an early digital release seems obvious here.
For starters, Supergirl had a 76.8% drop in its second week compared to its opening weekend (which wasn't spectacular to begin with). The only two modern superhero movies to perform worse at the box office were The Marvels, with a 78.1% second-week gross drop, and Joker: Folie à Deux, with an 81.4% drop. That alone is enough to suggest Supergirl doesn't have a long run ahead of it, so why should Warner Bros. keep it in theaters?
To make matters more complicated, Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film, The Odyssey, is set to release on Jul. 17, 2026. The latest Greek epic has already broken impressive box office records, and early impressions are overwhelmingly positive. As such, audiences are more likely to watch The Odyssey than to rewatch Supergirl, or watch it for the first time if they haven't already. Furthermore, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is also upon us, with a release date of Jul. 31, 2026.
The big blockbuster battle between The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to limit Supergirl's final days in theaters (days that weren't looking bright to begin with). That's why Warner Bros. could instead decide to release the film early on digital platforms while it's still fresh in audiences' minds. Although it would prove to be a good strategic play, it is the exact opposite scenario of unexpected theatrical hits like Obsession.
Curry Barker’s debut horror title was reportedly set to have a digital release on June 2, but that date was pushed back because the movie had an astonishing box-office run. Obsession spent two whole months in movie theaters and ended its run grossing a little over $400 million worldwide on a budget of $750,000. Not only that, but it has now become the most profitable movie made with a budget of under a million dollars.
A key detail to take into consideration is that Obsession had a very successful opening weekend, and yet it grossed more during its second week. In a scenario like that, it makes sense to extend the film's theatrical run and push back its digital release. However, Supergirl is having the exact opposite box office run, meaning the best play would be to push forward its digital release.
Unfortunately, the DCU didn't quite have the explosive opening Warner Bros. hoped it would. Now, all eyes are set on Clayface to determine whether this new cinematic universe has some muscle behind it or if it may meet its end sooner than expected.
Supergirl is now in theaters.
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