'Supergirl' stumbles with $38M debut as 'Toy Story 5' stays No. 1

Warner Bros. and DC Studios' "Supergirl" opened to a disappointing $38 million domestically from 3,600 North American theaters and $68 million worldwide, well below the $50 million to $55 million the studio had targeted. Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 5" held the No. 1 spot with $70 million in its second weekend. The box office Supergirl stumbles highlight a tough summer landscape for big-budget comic book movies facing family-film competition.

The comic book adaptation, a space adventure revolving around Superman's cousin, was meant to extend DC Studios' theatrical momentum. Instead, the soft launch raises questions about whether polarizing audience reception and peak summer competition will limit the film's staying power in theaters.

Key Takeaways

• "Supergirl" debuted to $38 million domestically and $68 million globally, missing Warner Bros.' $50 million to $55 million target.
• The film carries a reported $170 million production budget and would need roughly $375 million worldwide to break even.
• "Toy Story 5" remained No. 1 with $70 million in weekend two, down 55% from its $160 million opening.
• Pixar's sequel has reached $297 million domestic and $585 million globally after just 12 days in theaters.
• Intense summer competition and mixed reception could cap "Supergirl's" long-term theatrical run.

Why Did 'Supergirl' Stumble at the Box Office?

Heading into the weekend, Warner Bros. and DC Studios already expected a modest domestic start in the $50 million to $55 million range for a film of this scale. The final $38 million figure fell short of even that lowered bar across 3,600 North American locations.

According to Variety, the studio faces a difficult path ahead. The movie's polarizing reception, combined with crowded summer releases, may restrict word-of-mouth and repeat business during the season's most competitive weeks.

At a reported $170 million production cost — before a major marketing spend — the economics are steep. Variety notes that a tentpole of this size typically needs at least $375 million in global ticket sales to reach profitability, since exhibitors retain roughly half of box office revenue.

How Is 'Toy Story 5' Performing in Its Second Weekend?

"Toy Story 5" showed no signs of losing altitude. The Pixar sequel collected an estimated $70 million in its second weekend, a standard 55% decline from its massive $160 million domestic debut the prior frame.

After 12 days in theaters, the fifth installment in the franchise stands at $297 million domestically and $585 million globally. That pace positions it among 2026's highest-grossing theatrical releases and underscores why no new wide release could dislodge it from the top spot this weekend.

For audiences tracking theatrical trends, the contrast between a proven franchise sequel and a pricey new superhero entry is one of the summer's defining box office stories. More coverage is available in our Streaming & TV Alerts section.

What Does This Opening Mean for DC Studios?

"Supergirl" was positioned as a high-profile release for DC Studios. A $38 million domestic launch against a $170 million budget leaves limited margin for error, especially if overseas returns do not significantly outpace the $68 million global opening weekend total.

The gap between pre-release expectations and final numbers matters. A film once framed as a big-budget tentpole now needs exceptional hold and strong international performance just to approach break-even territory. Without that, the space adventure risks becoming a cautionary tale for studios banking on comic book IP during a summer dominated by established family brands.

Can 'Supergirl' Recover From a Weak Debut?

Recovery is possible but increasingly narrow. Summer blockbusters that miss their opening targets often depend on strong audience scores and light competition in subsequent weeks to build cumulative grosses. "Supergirl" enters that race with mixed reception and "Toy Story 5" still drawing large family crowds.

Warner Bros. and DC Studios will be watching daily grosses closely. If declines steepen, the film could fade quickly from theaters — a costly outcome for a property that was meant to strengthen DC Studios' big-screen slate. For now, the weekend numbers confirm one clear headline: Supergirl stumbled, and Toy Story still rules the box office.