‘Supergirl’ Landing in Second Place at Box Office as ‘Toy Story 5’ Stays on Top – The Hollywood Reporter
Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated superhero epic, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, landed in second place at the North American box office this past weekend, June 7-9, 2024. The new DC Universe installment debuted with an estimated $52 million, falling short of the continued reign of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, which secured its second consecutive top spot with an impressive $70 million.
The results mark a significant moment for both studios, highlighting the enduring power of established animation franchises against the evolving landscape of superhero cinema. Industry analysts are now closely examining what this performance means for the future of the nascent DCU and Pixar’s sustained box office prowess.
Background: A Tale of Two Franchises
The cinematic landscape has been eagerly watching the trajectories of these two tentpole releases. Toy Story 5, the latest chapter in Pixar’s beloved animated saga, entered its second weekend with immense momentum. Following a critically acclaimed opening weekend that saw it gross over $120 million domestically, the film has continued to captivate audiences, particularly families, with its blend of heartfelt storytelling and innovative animation. Directed by Angus MacLane, the film features the returning voice talents of Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, alongside new characters that have resonated strongly with viewers of all ages.
On the other side of the spectrum, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow represented a pivotal moment for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s revamped DC Universe. Billed as a more grounded and character-driven take on the Kryptonian hero, the film was directed by Sarah Polley and stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El. Its production has been under intense scrutiny, with fans and critics alike anticipating whether it could successfully reset the DC cinematic narrative after a series of mixed results from previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU) entries. The film’s substantial production budget, reportedly around $180 million before marketing, placed considerable pressure on its opening weekend performance.
The DC Universe’s Reboot Strategy
The new DCU, under the creative leadership of Gunn and Safran, aims for a cohesive, interconnected narrative across film, television, and animation. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow was positioned as one of the foundational pillars of this new vision, intended to introduce a powerful yet vulnerable hero to a new generation of viewers. Its direct ties to the upcoming Superman: Legacy, also helmed by Gunn, amplified expectations. The film’s marketing campaign emphasized its distinct tone, promising a departure from the often darker aesthetic associated with past DC films, opting instead for a more hopeful and adventurous spirit.
Key Developments from the Weekend
The weekend’s box office figures painted a clear picture of audience preferences. Toy Story 5, despite being in its second frame, demonstrated remarkable holdover power, dropping only 42% from its opening weekend. Its $70 million haul pushed its domestic total past the $250 million mark, solidifying its position as one of the year’s highest-grossing films. The film’s strong word-of-mouth, coupled with its broad appeal to families during the early summer season, contributed significantly to its sustained success.
Conversely, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow‘s $52 million debut, while not a catastrophic failure, fell below initial industry projections that had pegged it closer to the $60-70 million range. The film opened in over 4,200 theaters across North America, indicating a wide release strategy from Warner Bros. Its per-theater average was approximately $12,380, a respectable figure but one that signals a more niche audience compared to the broad appeal of its animated competitor.
Audience Demographics and Critical Reception
Exit polling revealed distinct demographic breakdowns for the two films. Toy Story 5 continued to draw a predominantly family audience, with parents and children under 12 making up over 60% of its ticket buyers. Its CinemaScore of A, coupled with a 92% «Fresh» rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underscored its critical and popular success. Reviewers lauded its emotional depth, humor, and stunning animation, praising its ability to evolve the franchise while retaining its core charm.
Supergirl, by contrast, attracted a younger, more male-skewing audience, with 55% of its viewers being under 35 and 60% male. Its CinemaScore was a B+, suggesting a generally positive but not ecstatic audience reaction. Critics were more divided, resulting in a 65% «Fresh» score on Rotten Tomatoes. While many praised Milly Alcock’s performance and Sarah Polley’s direction for its unique vision, some reviews pointed to pacing issues and a perceived lack of the grand spectacle often associated with superhero blockbusters. The film’s more introspective approach, while lauded by some, may not have fully captivated the wider mainstream audience accustomed to more action-heavy superhero fare.
Other Box Office Contenders
Rounding out the top five, an independent horror film, The Whispering Manse, surprised with a strong third-place finish, grossing $15 million. A romantic comedy, Love in Tuscany, held steady in fourth with $10 million, demonstrating the summer appetite for diverse genres. The fifth spot was claimed by the holdover action-thriller, Shadow Protocol, which added $8 million to its respectable run.
Impact on Studios and the Industry
For Disney and Pixar, Toy Story 5‘s continued dominance is a major win, reinforcing their strategy of investing in beloved, high-quality animated franchises. The film’s robust performance provides a significant financial boost and solidifies Pixar’s reputation for delivering both critical acclaim and commercial success. It also suggests that audiences are still highly receptive to legacy animated properties, especially when the storytelling remains fresh and compelling.
Warner Bros. and the DCU face a more complex assessment. While a second-place debut and $52 million opening are far from a disaster, they fall short of the clear blockbuster status needed to confidently launch a new cinematic universe. The performance raises questions about audience fatigue with superhero films, particularly those not featuring the most established characters like Batman or Superman. It also puts additional pressure on upcoming DCU projects to deliver stronger numbers and more unanimous critical praise.
The DCU’s Path Forward
The relatively modest opening for Supergirl could lead to strategic adjustments within the DCU’s rollout plan. While Gunn and Safran have emphasized creative freedom and a long-term vision, box office results inevitably influence future investments and marketing approaches. The film’s more character-focused narrative, while artistically commendable, may need to be balanced with moments of broader appeal and action sequences that resonate with a wider audience to ensure future entries achieve higher commercial benchmarks. The success of Superman: Legacy, which is further along in production, will be crucial in setting the tone for the entire new universe.
What Comes Next
The coming weeks will be critical for both films. Toy Story 5 is expected to continue its strong run, likely surpassing the $300 million domestic mark within its third weekend. Its international rollout will further amplify its global box office, positioning it as a strong contender for one of the year’s top earners. A streaming release on Disney+ is anticipated several months down the line, but its theatrical performance suggests a robust window before it hits homes.
For Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the focus shifts to its holdover performance. A significant drop in its second weekend could signal trouble for its path to profitability, especially given its substantial budget. Warner Bros. will be looking for strong international numbers to bolster its overall gross. Merchandise sales and ancillary revenue streams will also play a role in its ultimate financial success. The film’s ability to generate positive word-of-mouth in the coming weeks will be paramount to its longevity in theaters.
Upcoming Summer Blockbusters
The summer movie season is far from over, with several major releases poised to challenge the current leaders. Universal’s highly anticipated action sequel, Titanfall: Resurgence, is set to debut next weekend, promising a spectacle-driven experience. Following that, Paramount’s science fiction epic, Cosmic Drift, and Sony’s animated family adventure, The Legend of Elara, will vie for audience attention. These films will undoubtedly reshape the box office landscape, adding further competition for both Supergirl and Toy Story 5 as they continue their theatrical runs.
The coming months will provide a clearer picture of the long-term impact of this weekend’s results on the strategies of major studios and the evolving preferences of the global cinematic audience. The battle for box office supremacy continues, with established giants and aspiring new franchises each fighting for their share of the spotlight.
