Supergirl (2026)

I’ll admit it, I almost skipped Supergirl entirely.

After how much I enjoyed last year’s Superman, I figured I’d eventually get around to seeing it, especially since that film clearly laid the groundwork for this one. Still, the early reactions were hard to ignore. Everywhere I looked, people seemed to be saying the same thing: it just wasn’t living up to the expectations set by its predecessor. By the time I finally bought a ticket, I had already lowered my expectations considerably.

Unfortunately, I think those expectations ended up being about right.

That doesn’t mean Supergirl is a bad movie. In fact, I had a perfectly pleasant time watching it. It just never reaches a level that feels memorable, and that’s probably the biggest disappointment. Superhero movies have become increasingly difficult to stand out in, so when one settles for being merely competent, it’s hard not to wish it had aimed a little higher.

One thing the movie gets absolutely right is Krypto.

I’m convinced that putting a dog in any movie immediately earns it a few extra points, and Krypto is easily one of the highlights here. There’s something universally entertaining about watching a superpowered dog wreak havoc while remaining completely lovable. Oddly enough, the relationship between Krypto and Supergirl reminded me a bit of the John Wick movies, where the emotional bond with a dog becomes a driving force behind the story. Obviously, the tone couldn’t be more different, but I appreciated that same underlying idea that our relationships with animals can be every bit as meaningful as our relationships with people.

If nothing else, Krypto consistently steals the spotlight.

I also thought the lead actress did a strong job. She brings plenty of charisma to the role and feels believable as someone still figuring out who she is while carrying enormous responsibility. Her performance was never the problem, and I’d actually be interested in seeing her return in future DC projects because I think there’s a lot of potential. She captures both the confidence and vulnerability that make Supergirl an interesting character, even if the script doesn’t always give her enough to work with.

The issue, at least for me, was that the movie felt SO SAFE.

Rather than taking risks with its characters or its themes, it follows a fairly predictable path from beginning to end. There are moments that hint at something more emotionally complex, but they rarely develop into anything particularly memorable. Every time it seemed like things might take an unexpected turn, they instead chose the more familiar route.

Some of the best superhero movies tell relatively straightforward stories. The difference is that they usually compensate with unforgettable characters, emotionally resonant moments, or villains who genuinely challenge the heroes in meaningful ways.

That’s, to me, where Supergirl loses some momentum. The villains never feel especially intimidating, and because they lack much of a compelling presence, the stakes never quite feel as high as the movie wants them to. A great antagonist doesn’t just create danger. They force the hero to grow, adapt, and confront difficult choices. .

As a result, there was never a moment where I found myself wondering how everything would play out.

Visually, the film has plenty of enjoyable moments, and the action is perfectly entertaining, but nothing lingered with me after I left the theater. I wasn’t replaying scenes in my head or thinking about particular character moments on the drive home. It ended, and I moved on to thinking about what I wanted for dinner.

If I had to describe Supergirl in one sentence, I’d call it the perfect airplane movie.

It’s exactly the kind of film that makes a two- or three-hour flight pass pleasantly. You’ll enjoy yourself, you’ll probably smile a few times, and by the time the credits roll you’ll feel like the trip went by a little faster.

The problem is that Supergirl had the opportunity to be more than that.

Coming off the success of Superman, it felt like this was the perfect chance to build even more excitement around DC’s new direction. Instead, the movie plays things so cautiously that it never establishes much of an identity of its own.

If you enjoyed Superman, I do think Supergirl is worth watching eventually. There are enough connections between the films to make it an enjoyable continuation of that world, and there are certainly elements that work well enough to justify spending a couple of hours with it.

I just wouldn’t rush to the theater.

Wait until it arrives on streaming, or save it for your next long flight. Either way, you’ll likely have a perfectly enjoyable time, especially if you’re already invested in DC’s new universe.