Supergirl trailer launch breakdown: all the news, analysis, and reaction to the new DCU movie’s first teaser

Hello, Ruthye

Supergirl‘s first teaser isn’t all good times and even better vibes. Indeed, the trailer soon switches up its tone to – spoiler! – show the destruction of Krypton. That’s the home world of the titular character and her biological cousin Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent.

Between shots of Kryptonians running for their lives and the planet’s ruin (don’t worry, I’ll get to it properly in a second!), we get our first look at Ruthye Marye Knoll. The driving force behind this Supergirl-led tale, she’ll be played 3 Body Problem‘s Eve Ridley.

Wakey wakey, Kara!

Let’s kick things off with the teaser’s first extended clip, which shows Kara waking up after… let’s say a late night of partying. We also catch a glimpse of Krypto, too, who doesn’t need a second invitation to relieve himself on a newspaper whose front cover is adorned by Superman.

The most obvious thing to note about this clip, as well as the montage that follows, is Supergirl will slightly tweak the first act of ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’.

Indeed, the comic book series is largely told from the perspective of Ruthye, the young warrior we see asking Kara about Krypton’s destruction (more on that in a bit) later in the teaser. However, these Kara-starring scenes, which don’t appear in the graphic novel, indicate that we’ll view events through Kara’s eyes in Supergirl, rather than her teenage, sword-wielding companion. If you were hoping for a one-to-one page-to-screen translation of ‘Woman of Tomorrow’, then, I’d recommend adjusting your expectations.

So, what did you think?

I’m not going to lie, dear reader: I. Loved. It.

Okay, I have a couple of minor quibbles, but we’ll get to those shortly. For now, I’m going to run through the trailer with a fine-toothed comb to pick out everything that it teases about the film.

It’s almost time

We are just 10 minutes away from the official teaser’s premiere, so I’m heading over to DC’s YouTube channel to lock in for its debut. I’d advise you all to do the same. Or, you know, just hit play on the YouTube video embed at the top of this page,

But, fret not, for I’ll be back once I’ve watched it to, well, watch it another 100 times, pore over its footage, and break down/over-analyze everything I spot in the trailer. So, be sure to check in with me once you’ve seen it.

Until then, enjoy the trailer!

A mini Game of Thrones reunion

One last important post before we reach the main event: Supergirl will be a mini Game of Thrones reunion – or, rather, a small-scale House of the Dragon reunion. That’s because Ramin Djawadi, who wrote the music for both HBO shows, including their memorable title tracks, has been announced as this flick’s composer.

You can get a sense of Supergirl’s score via the Instagram post above. Based on the 15-second electro-inspired snippet within, Djawadi’s really captured the rousing, otherworldly, and sci-fi sensibilities of its tale, too. I’m going to need its full soundtrack uploaded to YouTube ASAP, Mister Djawadi.

Rebel with a cause

Based on the posters and bite-sized teasers we’ve seen, plus Kara’s cameo in Superman, it’s clear that Supergirl will be tonally different to her biological cousin’s latest silver screen outing.

I always assumed that would be the case but, following her brief appearance in Supes’ latest live-action adventure, the release of Supergirl‘s first poster basically confirmed it. Expect a punk-rock, rebellious teaser that’s full of attitude when it drops in about 45 minutes, then!

One hour to go!

Alright, we’re about 60 minutes away from the trailer’s debut, so let’s start dialling in on the footage it might contain.

I have no insider information on what we’ll be shown, but I’d be surprised if we didn’t catch a glimpse of an immediately recognizable location from ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’. In fact, Supergirl‘s first official image showed Kara in said place that’ll be very familiar to DC Comic fans. A scene featuring this backwater establishment in the teaser is a good opportunity to tie back to the first-ever public shot that was revealed. It’s a bit late to say this, but: make it so, DC.

About that Supergirl age rating, Mister Gunn…

Excited though I am for Supergirl, my biggest worry is what its age rating will be.

Speaking to a roundtable of journalists, whom I was among, in mid-August, Gunn heavily implied Supergirl will carry a PG-13 rating. That’s the equivalent of a 12/12A in the UK, and either a PG or M rating in Australia.

Now, I’ve read ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ – I’m currently re-reading it to refresh my memory about what happens – and, without spoiling anything significant, it’s not a family-friendly tale. In fact, it goes to some pretty dark places, is violent on occasion, and features a Kara Zor-El who swears. A lot.

Now, if it directly adapts the aforementioned comics, it’s still possible that Supergirl could carry an R-rating stateside. I think that’s incredibly unlikely, though – after all, Gunn and company will want to get as many bums on seats when it’s released. Why would prevent some of your target audience from seeing it if it’s classified as an adult-only movie?

If Supergirl is rated PG-13, I really hope it doesn’t omit swathes of its more mature content. Otherwise, it’ll lose part of what makes ‘Woman of Tomorrow’ so great.

What is Supergirl’s release date? And wasn’t it called Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow?

Two great questions I really should’ve addressed from the outset…

Let’s start with that all-important launch date: Supergirl will fly into theaters on June 26, 2026. That not only means it’ll arrive almost one year after Superman, but also be one of the biggest movies of the summer (or, if you live in the southern hemisphere, winter).

As for the other question: yes. Initially, it had the same title as its comic book series namesake. Considering it’s heavily inspired by the graphic novel, that makes sense.

However, Gunn has since revealed why Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is no longer its name. In June, the DCU’s co-overlord said: “Even though I was the one that gave it that title, I just wasn’t sure [it was the right one].

“First of all, I’m sick of the superhero title, colon, other-name thing. Also, it seemed to be looking back when we’re looking forward, even though it does have to do with legacy in the movie itself. And everybody was like, ‘Oh, yeah, no, change it.'”

Lobo’s role in Supergirl, explained

We don’t know whether Supergirl will be a direct, page-for-page adaptation of ‘Woman of Tomorrow’, but one of 2026’s most exciting new movies will feature a small but highly significant change to the story depicted in the source material?

The alteration in question? Lobo’s inclusion. The fan-favorite bounty hunter was, according to ‘Woman of Tomorrow’ writer Tom King, originally going to be part of the graphic novel. However, speaking to comicbook.com, King revealed he was omitted at the request of his editors.

With Jason Momoa set to portray Lobo in Supergirl, will the comic book flick include those cut story elements? Again, that’s unclear, but Gunn has teased the vital role that Lobo will play in Supergirl.

“[‘Supergirl:]Woman of Tomorrow’ is a bunch of little stories,” Gunn told the Official DC Studios podcast in June. “And, we needed to create one through-line, one three-act, more traditional story. So, Lobo helps us to do that.

“I love Lobo,” he continued. “I always thought he was a great character to adapt and, maybe, in some way, the biggest comic book character that’s never been in a film. So, I think it was a cool thing to do [include him in Supergirl].”

Who’s joining Milly Alcock as part of the Supergirl cast?

‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ might be primarily billed as a space opera by some readers, but it’s also an intimate drama-cum-character study with only a handful of notably named individuals.

So, which other actors are going to appear as part of the DCU Chapter One movie’s cast? My Supergirl cast and character guide discusses the stars who’ll show up, which characters they’re playing, and where you may have seen them before. If you want a quick rundown on its tight ensemble, though, read the list below:

• Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl
• Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll
• Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills
• Jason Momoa as Lobo
• David Krumholtz as Zor-El
• Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze
• Ferdinand Kingsley as Elias Knoll

‘I thought ‘What have I done?”

That’s not to say Alcock fully believed she was the right fit for one of DC Comics’ beloved superheroes. Indeed, speaking earlier this month, Alcock revealed why she panicked after being cast as the DCU’s Supergirl.

“I thought, ‘what have I done?'” she recounted in an interview with Forbes magazine. “I really struggled to believe I could do it. I even called the director [Craig Gillespie] saying ‘I don’t know how to be that person. I’m just me’.

“Eventually, I realized the only way through was to trust myself,” Alcock added. “I always believe life is right on time. Things happen when they’re supposed to, whether you feel ready or not.”

For what it’s worth, James Gunn has gushed about Alcock’s performance as Supergirl, with the DC Studios co-chief telling The Howard Stern Show: “Milly Alcock, who plays Supergirl, might be the best bit of casting I think I’ve ever done in my entire life. She’s absolutely stunning in the movie”. High praise indeed from an industry veteran who’s worked with plenty of actors throughout his career.

Who’s playing Kara Zor-El in Supergirl?

Aaaaaand I’m back. Now, what was I going to talk about next… ah, yes, the lead star of Supergirl: Milly Alcock.

One of two finalists, Alcock won the race to play the DCU’s version of Kara Zor-El in January 2024. Meg Connelly, who’s voiced Supergirl in various DC animated offerings, was also in the running – and, in an alternate reality, she might have been picked.

Anyway, if you’re wondering where you might have seen Alcock before, she got her big break (in the US, anyway) playing the child/teenage version of Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, HBO’s live-action take on George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones prequel novel.

Since then, the Australian actor has appeared in Netflix drama Sirens and made a scene-stealing cameo as Supergirl in Superman. Where the latter is concerned, Alcock’s cameo in Superman was all I needed to have full confidence in her take on Supergirl, too.

Anyway, the rest of her C.V. comprises projects from Down Under, including The Gloaming, Upright, Reckoning, and Fighting Season. In short: the 25-year-old had plenty of experience to call upon after landing this role.

Takin’ a break

Alright, time for this UK native to take a quick lunch break. I’ll run you through more of my Supergirl coverage, as well as some other news and rumors, upon my return.

Feel free to talk amongst yourselves or, if you want to get a head start on things I’ll discuss later on, check out my dedicated Supergirl guide for more on its cast, story, and potential DCU impact.

Plotting out its story

Of course, there are a couple of things we know about Kara Zor-El’s first big-screen adventure in over 40 years.

For starters, it’s drawn heavily from ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow‘. That’s the comic book series from Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Matheus Lopes that fans and critics alike have raved about since the first of its eight issues was released in June 2021.

I won’t start getting into the finer details of the graphic novel’s plot here because, well, spoilers. However, DC Studios has revealed the movie’s story synopsis. So, if you want a very brief overview of its narrative, here you go: “When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.”

What will wee see in Supergirl’s first teaser?

I can’t say for sure. However, Monday’s the 10-second teaser, plus another 15-second montage that went live on Supergirl‘s various social media channels yesterday, have given us a sense of what to expect.

The latter video, which you can watch above, contains bite-sized clips of the likely extended footage we’ll see in the forthcoming trailer. It certainly gives off an air that it’ll have more attitude than this year’s Superman film but, until the teaser is with us, there’s no telling how much of its story it’ll, well, tease.

Still, I’ve drawn up a wish list of three things I want Supergirl‘s first trailer to contain – and one I don’t. So, check that out if you’re curious to see what my predictions are for it.

A super day to be a Supergirl fan

So, how are we feeling today? I’m very excited – and, truth be told, I have been since DC Studios released the first albeit brief teaser for Supergirl on Monday and confirmed its first official trailer would drop sometime this week.

We didn’t have to wait long to learn what day it would drop, either. Yesterday (December 10), DC announced Supergirl‘s first trailer would take flight today – i.e. Thursday, December 11. It’ll premiere at 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm GMT / 9:30pm IST, too.

For those of you based in Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, you’ll have to get up early tomorrow if you want to watch it soon as it lands. Indeed, the aforementioned 9am PT launch means it’ll arrive at 1am SGT / 4am AEDT / 6am in these nations.

Look out – it’s Supergirl trailer launch day!

Happy Supergirl trailer release day, everyone!

I’m Tom Power, TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter and master of ceremonies for today’s unveiling of the highly-anticipated DC Universe (DCU) movie’s first teaser.

We’re still five hours away from our first proper look at the superhero film, so I’ve got plenty of airtime to fill before it premieres. Luckily for you and me, there’s lots – and I mean lots – to talk about in the meantime. So, strap in, because things are about to get busy.