‘Supergirl’ Is Streaming Now, Giving Milly Alcock’s DCU Debut a Second Chance

‘Supergirl’ has officially arrived on HBO Max, giving Milly Alcock’s first DCU movie a chance to reach viewers who may have skipped it in theaters.

The film, which hit theaters earlier this year, had a rough run at the box office. It also received mixed reviews, leaving its future as one of the DCU’s big new franchises somewhat uncertain. But now that ‘Supergirl’ is available to stream, the movie has a much easier way to find an audience.

HBO Max began streaming ‘Supergirl’ on Thursday, September 10. The movie will also air on HBO’s main television channel on Saturday, September 12, at 8 p.m. ET. An American Sign Language version performed by Catalene Sacchetti is also available on HBO Max.

For viewers who have been waiting to see what Milly Alcock can do as Kara Zor-El, this is probably the best chance to catch up. Alcock, best known to many viewers for her work on ‘House of the Dragon,’ was given the difficult job of introducing a new version of Supergirl while also helping expand James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe.

Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, the movie takes Kara far away from the usual Superman story. Instead of simply following her life on Earth, ‘Supergirl’ sends her into space on a much more personal mission.

Kara joins Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young alien girl who wants revenge against Krem of the Yellow Hill. Krem is responsible for killing Ruthye’s father, and the two set off together to track him down. Their journey eventually brings them into contact with Jason Momoa’s Lobo, while David Corenswet returns as Superman.

The movie was meant to be an important step for the new DCU. It is only the second theatrical movie in the rebooted universe, following ‘Superman,’ and it is part of the studio’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters plans.

Unfortunately, the movie did not perform well in theaters. According to the box office figures reported for the film, ‘Supergirl’ made $37.1 million in its domestic opening. That was a worrying start for a movie with a reported production budget between $170 million and $186 million. Its worldwide total eventually reached around $126.4 million, meaning it fell far short of what it needed to make a profit after marketing and other costs were included.

The reviews were also mixed. ‘Supergirl’ currently sits at 53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, while its audience score is much better at 72 percent. That gap is important because it suggests the movie may have connected with regular viewers more than some critics expected.

One especially positive response came from Get Your Comic On. In its four-star review, the outlet called the movie “a phenomenally fun time at the movies, anchored by an incredible performance from Milly Alcock.” The review also said that the film “breaks new ground by taking DC’s characters out into space, widening the scope of the burgeoning DCU infinitely.”

That praise for Alcock could be especially important now. Even if ‘Supergirl’ did not become a huge theatrical hit, the new streaming release gives audiences another chance to decide what they think of her version of Kara.

And there is a good reason for DC fans to pay attention. Alcock is not done with the character. She is already expected to return as Supergirl in ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ the upcoming DCU Superman sequel scheduled for 2027.

That means the first movie does not have to carry the entire future of the character. Streaming could help ‘Supergirl’ build a stronger fan base, and if more people discover the film on HBO Max, Alcock could return with an audience that is much more excited to see where Kara goes next.

For now, the movie has a second chance. Whether that leads to a real comeback remains to be seen, but at least ‘Supergirl’ is no longer limited to the people who bought a ticket during its theatrical run.

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