The next chapter of James Gunn’s DC Universe is almost here. Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock, is in theaters next week, and it continues the overall franchise Gunn and partner Peter Safran kickstarted way back in 2023. Last year, Superman kicked things off in a major way, and now we find out what his cousin is up to and how that’ll impact the universe around them.
Full reviews for the film, which co-stars Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Superman himself, David Corenswet, don’t drop until next week, but Warner Bros. allowed people who’ve seen the film early to release their reactions today. Is the film as good as Superman? Better? Is it a huge miss? Let’s see what people think.
#Supergirl is highly enjoyable.
It doesn't quite have the resonance of Superman, but it acts as both a perfect companion and follow-up to that movie with better characters and more complex relationships.
It's also incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder. pic.twitter.com/Mic27Q2jKu
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) June 18, 2026
Unfortunately Supergirl is a mixed bag for me. As a fan of the comic, I was (perhaps) overly excited for the film adaptation. While Jason Momoa’s Lobo & Milly Alcock shine, some adaptation choices and a bland villain keep it from greatness. It's, simply put, just fine. #Supergirl pic.twitter.com/4uDAvQmjYv
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) June 18, 2026
#Supergirl isn't a classic but it's pacey fun and hits most of the targets it aims for. Milly Alcock is great as the titular heroine and Momoa's Lobo is a blast. Other big wins are the action, humor and when it leans into physical production. Production and costuming design are👍 pic.twitter.com/ogelX1QSCE
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) June 18, 2026
SUPERGIRL is not at all what I was expecting. I, too, assumed “superhero space movie with needle drops” would have a similar tone to GOTG or even Superman. Instead it looks and plays more like a Mad Max movie, with dirty worlds, gross villains and a self destructive hero
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) June 18, 2026
SUPERGIRL is a bold, fresh and lively film that lets this iconic character shine. Milly Alcock is the highlight. She's jaded and brash, yet optimistic and so damn cool. Craig Gillespie’s vibrant direction has stylish needledrops and hyperfast action. Pace is short and sweet. Some… pic.twitter.com/LJAun0AAxd
— DCU Brief (@DCUBrief) June 18, 2026
SUPERGIRL is everything I wanted it to be. Girls can be messy and that rules! Kara isn't her cousin and I really loved how this movie makes that clear. She's a different kind of hero and perfect in every way. pic.twitter.com/38V5fP2MWd
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) June 18, 2026
If you threw GOTG, True Grit, and Mad Max into a DC blender, you’d get #Supergirl – a grimy, funny, yet surprisingly somber space adventure. Milly shines, especially when we get into Kara’s tragic backstory, but Jason Momoa is having the fraggin’ time of his life as Lobo. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/k2wmb7VMdy
— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) June 18, 2026
I have seen #Supergirl
Supergirl is a stronger crowd-pleaser than Superman (2025). More action, more heart, and a clear Infinity War/Guardians influence. Craig Gillespie brings some genuinely beautiful visuals to the DCU, Jason Momoa’s Lobo is an instant standout, and Milly… pic.twitter.com/cvxfyMBGk9
— Will-iam Smith (@bestever23) June 18, 2026
SUPERGIRL is a solid follow-up to last summer’s Superman. More serious and emotionally heavier in tone, it delivers a cool intergalactic road trip that evokes Guardians of the Galaxy, with a dash of Mad Max: Fury Road and a bit of Thor: The Dark World. 1/2 #supergirl @supergirl pic.twitter.com/qZOk098Pfs
— Fico Cangiano (@FicoCangiano) June 18, 2026
Of course, more reactions will be coming in the next few days, but it certainly seems that, for the most part, the people who’ve seen Supergirl like Supergirl. Myself included. The question will be, will reactions that range from mixed to mixed-positive be enough for it to compete at a box office that features Toy Story 5, Disclosure Day, Obsession, Backrooms, and more, all before Minions & Monsters and The Odyssey follow? It might be tough, but at least most people liked the movie.
Supergirl opens June 29, and we’ll have more soon.
Want more io9 news? Check out the best movies and TV shows to stream this month and all the upcoming sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that should be on your radar.
