Warner Bros. and DC Studios faced a significant setback at the box office this weekend as “Supergirl” opened well behind Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” which continued its strong theatrical run and remained the top movie in North America.
After posting one of the strongest animated openings in recent years, “Toy Story 5” generated an estimated $70 million in domestic ticket sales during its second weekend. The film also added $89.1 million from international markets, bringing its global total to approximately $585 million. The Disney release has quickly emerged as one of the year’s biggest commercial successes.
‘Supergirl’ Opens Below Expectations
In contrast, DC Studios’ latest superhero film struggled to attract audiences. “Supergirl” debuted with $38 million in ticket sales across the United States and Canada and earned an additional $30 million overseas.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film represents the second theatrical release under the leadership of DC Studios co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran, who took over the franchise’s creative direction in late 2022. Their first film, 2025’s “Superman,” performed solidly, earning $618 million worldwide and helping launch a new era for the DC brand.
However, “Supergirl” failed to generate similar momentum. The film reportedly underwent substantial editing following test screenings and received a mixed critical response. It currently holds a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned a “B-” CinemaScore from opening-weekend audiences.
One of DC’s Weakest Recent Debuts
The opening performance places “Supergirl” among the weaker launches in DC’s modern theatrical history. Its debut trailed other disappointing franchise entries such as “The Flash,” which opened with $55 million in 2023, and “Green Lantern,” which debuted with $53 million in 2011.
The film narrowly outperformed 2024’s “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which opened with $37.7 million.
Industry analyst David A. Gross, founder of movie consulting firm FranchiseRe, said superhero films no longer command the same level of audience interest they enjoyed before the pandemic.
Superhero Genre Faces Continued Challenges
According to Gross, annual box office revenue for superhero films has fallen substantially from the genre’s peak years between 2017 and 2019. While studios have reduced the number of releases, audience enthusiasm has also declined.
“You’ll hear general explanations like ‘the audience lost interest.’ Yes, they did,” Gross said. “But no one has been able to explain why it happened so suddenly and so completely. Why female superheroes in particular, after their sensational starts? We don’t understand it either.”
The genre previously produced major hits led by female heroes, including “Wonder Woman,” which earned $822 million worldwide in 2017, and “Captain Marvel,” which surpassed $1.1 billion globally in 2019.
Pressure on DC During Corporate Transition
The disappointing launch comes at a sensitive moment for Warner Bros. Discovery. The media company is currently preparing for its acquisition by Paramount Skydance, a major corporate move that could shape the future direction of several entertainment franchises.
Paramount chief executive David Ellison recently met with Gunn and Safran as discussions continue regarding the future of DC Studios.
“Supergirl,” which reportedly carried a production budget of approximately $170 million, stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s younger cousin. The character was introduced briefly in “Superman” before receiving her own standalone film.
Gunn served as a producer on the project while handing directing duties to Gillespie, known for films including “I, Tonya” and “Cruella.”
Upcoming DC Projects Remain in Development
Despite the film’s weak start, DC Studios continues to move forward with its upcoming slate. The next release, “Clayface,” a horror-inspired interpretation of the classic DC villain, is scheduled to arrive in theaters in October.
Meanwhile, “Man of Tomorrow,” the follow-up to Gunn’s “Superman,” remains in production and is slated for release in July 2027.
Other Weekend Releases
Elsewhere at the box office, Paramount Pictures’ “Jackass: Best and Last” opened with $8.4 million from 2,855 theaters across North America. While modest by franchise standards, the performance is considered respectable given the film’s reported $10 million production budget.
The previous installment, “Jackass Forever,” debuted with $23 million in 2022 before eventually earning about $80 million worldwide.
Independent films also showed signs of strength. Olivia Wilde’s comedy “The Invite” delivered one of the year’s best per-screen averages, earning $379,104 from just seven theaters in New York and Los Angeles. The film averaged more than $54,000 per location.
“The Invite,” acquired by A24 following a well-received premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, stars Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. The comedy will expand into additional markets next week before opening nationwide on July 10.
Conclusion
While “Toy Story 5” continues to dominate theaters and attract family audiences worldwide, “Supergirl” faces an uphill battle after a disappointing debut. The performance raises fresh questions about the strength of the superhero genre and adds pressure on DC Studios as it works to rebuild its cinematic universe under new leadership.
Abigail Prescott is a contributor to Campuslately.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging trends. With a reader-first approach, Abigail highlights stories that matter, providing balanced coverage and accessible insights on issues relevant to everyday audiences.
