Debuting in 1959 as Superman’s cousin, Supergirl has gone on to become one of the DC Universe’s most iconic female heroes. A well-meaning if brash superhero who came to Earth as a refugee, as opposed to her cousin’s fantastical riff on an immigrant story, Supergirl is just as powerful as Clark Kent but with less of the firm confidence or bubbly friendliness. This makes her a uniquely flexible character, as evidenced by all the different versions of her that have appeared over the years.
Some adaptations lean into her alien qualities, even positioning her as an antagonist that Superman has to convince to lower her guard. Other portrayals cast her as a noble and heroic woman who struggles to find her place in the larger world. All of them highlight the qualities that have made Supergirl so enduring, although some films are better than others. With the first Supergirl (2026) trailer here, let’s spotlight the 10 best Supergirl appearances across film and television, ranked.
10. Supergirl (1984)
Supergirl’s first big adaptation into another medium, Supergirl (1984), might be a mess of a movie, but it has its campy charms. Tangentially connected to Christopher Reeve’s Superman: The Movie (1978), Supergirl has memorable elements, like solid production design and Helen Slater in the lead role. However, it suffers from a lackluster story and bizarre performances, especially from Faye Dunaway, whose Selena might have been a good fit for a knowingly goofy superhero production like Adam West’s Batman (1966) but doesn’t gel nearly as well with the earnest qualities of Supergirl.
Slater tries her best, but she’s let down by a movie that has little interest in her as a character and is far more focused on the sci-fi worldbuilding that was never the most memorable element of the Richard Donner Superman movies. Still, for all its faults, Supergirl does a good job of highlighting the charming core of the character that has made her compelling across several different iterations.
9. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is one of the many DC Animated Universe movies to come out of Warner Bros. Animation, and one of the few to really focus on Supergirl. Unfortunately, the film adapts the “The Supergirl from Krypton” storyline from the comics, which has aged particularly poorly. Typically a sequel to the far more entertaining Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), Superman/Batman: Apocalypse focuses on a version of Supergirl that has been corrupted by Darkseid into an agent of chaos.
While Firefly (2002) star Summer Glau is solid in the film as a more muted and troubled version of Supergirl, the mismatched tone and strange narrative choices let the character down. There are plenty of DCAU movies that are actually terrific, like Justice League: The New Frontier (2008), but this one is easy enough to skip unless you’re a true completionist.
8. The Flash (2023)
A wild example of the highs and lows of the modern superhero genre, The Flash was a strange exit point for the DCEU that wasn’t quite the final nail in the coffin for the franchise… but close. To the film’s credit, it does have some compelling elements, such as the return of the Michael Keaton Bruce Wayne from Batman (1989). It also has a very effective version of Supergirl, here imagined as a long-term prisoner of the Russians who is unleashed onto a world she has little reason to care about.
Played by Sasha Calle, this Supergirl is a dark reimagining of the character and also one of the film’s only true strengths as a powerhouse with a vulnerable core who finds an unlikely companion in the titular speedster. While The Flash can’t quite escape the shadow cast by its many controversies, Calle’s version of Supergirl is at least a bright spot in a very uneven film.
7. Superman: Unbound (2013)
A better example of the DC Animated movies, Superman: Unbound is much more in line with the tone and tenor of Superman films that fans have come to appreciate more. Pitting the Man of Steel and his cousin against Brainiac when the alien AI arrives on Earth with plans to add the city of Metropolis to his collection, Superman: Unbound is a slick and entertaining superhero romp that may not be too impressive, but it has charm to spare.
Molly Quinn delivers a solid voice performance as Supergirl, especially alongside Matt Bomer’s version of the Man of Steel. Non-essential but entertaining for any superhero fan, Superman: Unbound is one of the rare movies or TV shows that actively shows the Kryptonian cousins actually working together for the greater good.
6. Smallville (2001-2011)
Smallville was quietly one of the most important superhero shows of the 21st century, laying the groundwork for a lot of the genre’s resurgence. The seventh season of the show introduced Laura Vandervoort as Lara, a version of Supergirl who has to learn about humanity and the fate of Krypton.
Playing to the melodramatic heights of the drama, Kara was crucial to the Season 7 storyline but was pushed back onto the sidelines for the rest of the show. It’s a shame, too, because Vandervoort finds a fun dynamic with Tom Welling’s Clark Kent that deserved a bit more screentime. Engaging without becoming overwhelming, the Supergirl of Smallville was a memorable chapter in that series that could have benefited from more focus during the show’s second half.
5. Superman (2025)
Although she only appears at the end of the film, the Supergirl of Superman is one of the comedic highlights of the entire movie. In direct contrast to the cool-headed and well-meaning Clark Kent, the movie quickly establishes his cousin as a rough and rowdy Kryptonian who has none of the patience that Superman is known for.
However, Superman also highlights her softer side with the reveal that Krypto is her dog and matches her high energy, a sweet little coda for the film and a solid tease for the upcoming Supergirl movie set in the same universe. A genuine delight in a movie full of such beats, the Supergirl appearance in Superman may be brief, but it is a lot of fun for any DC fan.
4. Superman: The Animated Series (1996)
Starting with Superman: The Animated Series and building to a number of appearances across the DCAU shared universe of shows (not to be confused with the movies of the same name), Supergirl got one of her best-ever showcases as a character during this era. Portrayed as a hot-headed but heroic young woman, the Supergirl of the Superman series quickly became a fan favorite for her attitude and fun dynamics with the rest of the cast.
She only became better when she returned for Justice League Unlimited (2004) as a member of the larger team, with a subtle storyline playing out over the show that highlighted her growth into her own hero. Nicholle Tom is an absolute blast in the role, finding the right balance of spunky and confident to make her Supergirl a really compelling character.
3. DC Super Hero Girls (2019-2021)
One of the few DC adaptations that puts Supergirl firmly in a lead role while shunting her cousin off to the side, DC Super Hero Girls is a delightful take on the superhero franchise that finds humanity in the heroes. Depicted as one of the titular team of high school crimefighters, Supergirl is the rough and tumble brawler of the group who has to learn to hold back and be vulnerable with her friends.
Nicole Sullivan is great in the role, with the right mix of sincerity and bravado to make a very likable character. In turn, her Supergirl ends up getting some of the show’s most effective comedy and dramatic beats. A happy medium between the absurdist comedy of Teen Titans GO! (2013) and the more character-driven superhero stories of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025), DC Super Hero Girls is a wonderful showcase for Supergirl.
2. My Adventures With Superman (2023-Present)
A fantastic riff on the Superman mythos, My Adventures With Superman had a phenomenal second season in large part due to the focus on Supergirl. Reimagined as the adopted daughter of Brainic, who initially meets her cousin as an enemy, this version of Supergirl is one of the most overtly dramatic takes on the character.
Torn between a genuine curiosity for Earth and the orders of her “father,” this version of Supergirl has a darker edge that never betrays the inherent appeal of the character. All of this makes her gradual arc in the season, where she finds common ground with her cousin, all the more appealing. With Season 3 currently in production, Kiana Madeira’s compelling take on the character will hopefully step back into the spotlight.
1. Supergirl (2015-2021)
The best show for fans of Supergirl, the Arrowverse version of Supergirl is an optimistic, big-hearted love letter to everything that makes the character great. Played by Melissa Benoist, Supergirl flips the script on the typical Superman narrative by having the Man of Steel fully off in his own corner of the universe.
While Superman & Lois (2021) is also a lot of fun, it doesn’t compare to the thematic strength and sci-fi heights of this DC adaptation that knows how to find the right balance between hokey superheroics, topical social commentary, and soap opera romance. Bolstered by arguably the best Supergirl performance to date, this entry in the larger CW adaptation of the DC Universe remains a major highlight of the genre on TV and proof that the character can work just as well on her own as supporting Superman.
