Long before Milly Alcock’s Supergirl spreads her crimson cape across multiplex screens in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the mythos of Krypton’s most iconic family has been etched into cinematic history in ways both grand and uneven.
With the DC Universe reboot catalyzed by James Gunn’sSuperman (2025), where the actress first appeared as Kara Zor-El before taking center stage in her own feature, there’s a distinct lineage of Superman films that not only chart the evolution of the Man of Steel but also illuminate the thematic soil from which her journey grows.
As Supergirl’s standalone debut approaches its June 26, 2026 release, the importance of revisiting that lineage becomes more than a checklist for fans — it is a way of tracing the tonal and narrative shifts that inform her own story.
Superman: The Movie (1978)
(Source: IMDb)
This is the origin point, the cinematic genesis that convinced a generation to believe in the impossible. Richard Donner’s masterpiece operates not just as a superhero film, but as a sweeping epic that blends biblical scale with small-town Americana sincerity.
Before Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El is introduced, likely carrying the heavy baggage of a more destructive Krypton, understanding the pure, unburdened nobility of Christopher Reeve’s Kal-El is paramount.
This film establishes the core values of the House of El—Truth, Justice, and the American Way—through John Williams’ iconic score and the effortless charm of its lead, setting the foundational benchmark for all Kryptonian heroes who follow. It’s the definitive look at the innocence Kara may have lost, providing crucial emotional context for her likely darker, more seasoned characterization.
Superman II (1980) – The Richard Donner Cut
(Source: IMDb)
While the theatrical release is canonical for many, the ‘Donner Cut’ is essential viewing for its uncompromised portrayal of the Kryptonian antagonists. This film introduces General Zod, Ursa, and Non, three Kryptonian criminals whose power and destructive nature perfectly illustrate the brutal history and political strife that often haunts Kal-El’s lineage.
For Supergirl, who is expected to have a more challenging, less idyllic backstory compared to her cousin, observing the raw, unmitigated power of these three exiles is key. It highlights the immense, dangerous potential of Kryptonian refugees and the kind of high-stakes conflict that Kara Zor-El, a potential survivor of a different kind of cataclysm, might be uniquely equipped to face or, conversely, be haunted by.
Supergirl (1984)
(Source: IMDb)
Often overlooked, this film is vital simply because it is the original live-action spotlight for the Girl of Steel, featuring Helen Slater in the title role. Though narratively disconnected from the current DC Universe, it serves as a critical historical marker in the attempt to bring Kara’s story to life.
It explored her immediate immersion into Earth culture and the distinct challenges she faced outside of her famous cousin’s shadow. Watching it provides a lens through which to gauge the evolution of the character.
Alcock’s Supergirl, reportedly inspired by the fierce, complicated version in the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, will inevitably be compared to the lightness of Slater’s portrayal, making the original a necessary contrast to fully appreciate the new iteration’s intensity and complexity.
Man of Steel (2013)
(Source: IMDb)
Zack Snyder’s divisive film is necessary viewing as it presents a Superman grappling with the burden of godhood and alien identity in a world that fears him. This version of Kryptonian culture is militaristic, grand, and ultimately self-destructive, offering a visual and tonal contrast to Donner’s optimism.
Henry Cavill’s Superman is forced to make impossible choices regarding collateral damage and self-preservation, themes that resonate deeply with the expected narrative for Alcock’s Supergirl—a character often depicted as having witnessed the destruction of Krypton firsthand and arriving on Earth with more trauma than hope.
This film grounds the Kryptonian conflict in a raw, almost mythological struggle for survival, which is an important emotional touchstone for any character emerging from the House of El.
Superman (2025)
(Source: IMDb)
James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot, starring David Corenswet, is now a cornerstone of the DC Universe, having debuted earlier this year. Its release is arguably the most crucial contemporary text to absorb before Supergirl’s debut.
As the official launching point for the new era, the film successfully established the definitive new tone, aesthetic, and baseline characterization for Kryptonian heroes. Its importance lies in the fact that it immediately defines the current political landscape and the world that Kara Zor-El is entering.
Focusing on a young Clark Kent balancing his human upbringing with his alien heritage, it presents a hero with a clear, modern sense of purpose. By observing this foundational, current iteration of the Last Son of Krypton, fans have a direct, necessary comparison point for Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, whose own narrative is projected to be far more complex, isolated, and potentially darker than her cousin’s newly established tale.
