Supergirl Budget: How It Stacks Up Against Superman Reboot & What It Must Earn to Break Even
A look at Supergirl’s estimated production cost, how it compares to James Gunn’s Superman reboot, and the global box office target it needs to break even.
How Supergirl Stacks Up Against Superman Reboot (Photo Credit – Instagram)
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The new DC Universe kicked off with a bang with James Gunn-directed Superman reboot, starring David Corenswet as the titular superhero. Boasting an 83% critics’ score and a 90% audience score (as per Rotten Tomatoes), the film not only earned rave reviews but also performed well at the box office. With a global haul of $616.7 million, Superman currently ranks as the 8th highest-grossing title of 2025 (as per Box Office Mojo). So, naturally, all eyes are now on the next DCU entry – Supergirl, led by House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock.
Now, the big question is: To become a successful theatrical venture, Supergirl would need to perform about as impressively as its predecessor. Before it can begin to turn a profit at the box office, the film must first reach its break-even point. Let’s first take a look at the film’s estimated budget and how it compares to the Superman reboot.
Supergirl – Budget & Comparison With James Gunn’s Superman
According to a report by Forbes, the Craig Gillespie-directed feature is being made on a budget of $200 million (Note: This figure is not officially confirmed, and we haven’t independently verified it). This places it slightly below the Superman reboot’s production budget of $225 million (as per The Wrap) by $25 million.
Made on an estimated budget of $225 million, James Gunn’s Superman needed to earn around $562.5 million to break even at the box office, based on the standard 2.5x multiplier rule. Since it ultimately grossed $616.7 million worldwide, the film is estimated to have earned around $54.2 million in profit solely from its theatrical run.
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In comparison, if Milly Alcock’s Supergirl is actually produced on a $200 million budget, it would need to collect approximately $500 million worldwide to break even using the same 2.5x rule. It’s a challenging benchmark, especially considering the underperformance of the 1984 live-action Supergirl film starring Helen Slater. However, with strong word-of-mouth and the momentum created by its well-received predecessor, the upcoming film still has a realistic chance of reaching that target.
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Supergirl – Release Date & Plot
Supergirl is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 26, 2026. The film ostensibly follows Superman’s cousin, Supergirl (played by Milly Alcock), who was raised on a surviving fragment of the destroyed planet Krypton, where she witnessed unimaginable violence. While travelling across the galaxy, she encounters a young girl whose world has been shattered by tragedy. Supergirl embarks on a relentless and brutal mission of revenge across the galaxy.
