DC’s ‘Supergirl’ Soars to $7.8 Million in Thursday Previews, Eyeing Strong Global Start

Warner Bros. and DC Studios are flying high once again as Supergirl launched its theatrical run with a promising $7.8 million in Thursday night previews at the domestic box office. Internationally, the superhero film brought in an additional $13 million, signaling robust global interest in the latest chapter of the newly minted DC Universe (DCU). Starring House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the film serves as the highly anticipated follow-up to last year’s blockbuster Superman, which successfully initiated co-chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran’s ambitious new cinematic slate.

The film—largely inspired by Tom King’s acclaimed comic book run Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow—presents a grittier, more cosmic departure from traditional superhero origin stories. Alcock’s casting as Superman’s battle-weary cousin was met with widespread enthusiasm following her critically acclaimed turn as the young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO's fantasy hit. Industry analysts suggest that this film’s performance is a crucial litmus test for DC Studios, proving whether the franchise can sustain mainstream audience interest and build a cohesive cinematic universe beyond its flagship character, Clark Kent.

The $7.8 million preview figure positions Supergirl for a projected domestic opening weekend in the range of $65 million to $75 million. While these figures sit slightly below the massive Thursday night debuts of legacy comic book sequels, the numbers represent a healthy, optimistic start for a fresh character introduction under the revamped DC brand. "This is a highly encouraging start for a standalone space epic," says veteran box office analyst Marcus Thorne. "Following up on a massive hit like last year's Superman is no easy feat, but Alcock's rising star power combined with strong early word-of-mouth is successfully driving moviegoers back to premium large-format screens."

Globally, Warner Bros. is eyeing a worldwide opening weekend upwards of $140 million as the film rolls out across major international territories, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Australia. With a reported production budget of approximately $175 million, Supergirl will rely on strong legs and international holdovers in the coming weeks to ensure profitability. However, with minimal direct competition in the action-adventure genre over the next fortnight, DC Studios appears well-positioned to maintain its theatrical momentum.