Every Live-Action Supergirl, Ranked (Including Milly Alcock)

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The movie Girl of Steel arrives in theaters on June 30th, and Milly Alcock will star as Kara Zor-El. It’s the second film in James Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU), and it explores a much larger world than we’ll see in the upcoming Superman movie.

Milly Alcock is the latest of five actresses to play Supergirl in movies and TV shows. While the character has been around for over forty years, and not every project has been a hit, each actress has delivered a strong performance. Now, the question is: how does Alcock’s portrayal stack up against the others?

Helen Slater Was Let Down by the Material in Supergirl (1984)

As a huge movie fan, I always remember Helen Slater as the very first Supergirl we saw on the big screen! She starred in the 1984 film Supergirl, and it’s such a classic ’80s take on the character. Her Supergirl felt really young and naive, like a sweet teenager still figuring everything out, which was charming for the time.

As a film fan, I was really impressed with how well Slater embodied Supergirl. She just became the character, even though the script wasn’t always giving her much to work with. Visually, she totally nailed the look – the long blonde hair and blue eyes were spot on. And I loved that they finally gave Supergirl her classic comic book suit! It’s a great visual connection to Superman and really makes her feel like a part of that world.

Okay, so I have to say, Helen Slater really nailed the role of Supergirl – it’s just a shame the movie itself wasn’t very good! Honestly, with a better script and direction, she could have been as iconic as Christopher Reeve was as Superman. The film feels like one of the first times studios didn’t really know how to tell a superhero story with a female lead. But even still, Slater is fantastic, and it just proves that no matter what, Supergirl hasn’t had a truly bad live-action portrayal yet.

For fans of Helen Slater, her connection to Supergirl continued for decades after her initial role. She later appeared in The CW’s Supergirl television series as Dr. Eliza Danvers, the adoptive mother of the show’s main character. Most recently, Slater reprised her Supergirl role alongside Christopher Reeve’s Superman in a flashback sequence in the 2023 film The Flash.

Laura Vandervoort Was a Good Early Version of Supergirl in Smallville

The show also features Supergirl, played by Laura Vandervoort, who is Clark Kent’s Kryptonian cousin. She’s a key character in Season 7 and returns for guest spots in Seasons 8 and 10. Similar to other heroes on Smallville, Supergirl is still learning to control her powers, but she already shows potential as a powerful protector.

Laura Vandervoort does a great job as Kara, but unfortunately, the show’s writing doesn’t give her enough to work with. After a promising start, Smallville seemed to lose direction with the character and ultimately gave her an ending that felt disappointing.

The Supergirl from Smallville had potential, and her story was expanded on in later comic books. However, she doesn’t quite reach the same level as some of the other actresses who have played the character in live-action.

Sasha Calle Could Have Been So Much More in the DCEU

Sasha Calle played Supergirl in the DC Extended Universe, but her time with the character was surprisingly brief. She didn’t get to star in her own Supergirl movie. Instead, she appeared in the 2023 film The Flash, which presented an alternate version of the DC universe. In this timeline, Kara, not Kal-El, was the Kryptonian baby sent to Earth. After being imprisoned for years, Kara escapes and becomes the first Kryptonian superhero of her world.

Even though DC fans weren’t always thrilled with The Flash, many really enjoyed Supergirl. The show presented a different take on the character than most versions, making her darker and more subdued – including giving her dark hair and a less bright costume. However, this grittier approach actually fit well with her backstory; it made sense that she’d be less vibrant after spending much of her life without sunlight.

It’s a shame that Leslie Grace didn’t get more opportunities as Batgirl. She showed real promise, but simply wasn’t on screen long enough to fully shine. Fans are hoping she’ll reappear in the DC Universe somehow, even if it’s playing a different role after The Flash.

Milly Alcock Has the Potential to Become the Greatest Supergirl Ever

Milly Alcock is the newest actress to play Supergirl, making her debut in the closing scene of the 2025 film Superman. A year later, she’ll lead her own movie – the first Supergirl film since 1984, over forty years ago. While fans haven’t seen much of this version of Supergirl in the DC Universe yet, the initial previews are very promising.

Milly Alcock is quickly becoming one of the most promising actresses today. Her roles in House of the Dragon and Sirens demonstrate her ability to handle complex characters with impressive skill and range. While it’s too early to say she’s the definitive Supergirl, she certainly has the potential to become one.

Alcock’s portrayal of Supergirl presents Kara Zor-El as a hardened survivor deeply affected by the loss of her planet. This is quite different from previous, more cheerful versions played by Helen Slater and Melissa Benoist, and some fans might not appreciate this darker take on the character.

Despite the recent changes, it seems Supergirl will focus on Alcock’s character discovering what it truly means to be a hero, preparing her for a more classic role within the DC Universe. Viewers have already gotten a good sense of this new version of Kara, earning her a high ranking, though she hasn’t quite surpassed the best Supergirl performance of all time – at least, not yet.

Melissa Benoist Is Still the Greatest Live-Action Supergirl

Each actress who has played Supergirl live-action has been great, but Melissa Benoist is widely considered the best. She portrayed Kara Zor-El in the Arrowverse for six years. Supergirl first aired in 2015 and started as its own series before becoming part of the larger universe with other DC shows on The CW. The show concluded after six seasons in 2021.

Of the five characters discussed, Supergirl is the most developed and well-rounded, both in her everyday life as Kara Danvers and as a superhero. She’s also currently the only live-action version of Supergirl who has joined the Justice League, though that may change with the new DC Universe team.

Melissa Benoist has played Supergirl for a significant amount of time on screen – far more than most other actresses in the role, who typically only appear briefly. This extended portrayal allows her character to have richer storylines and greater opportunities to develop. For many fans, she is Supergirl, and currently, she’s considered the definitive live-action version of the hero.

Supergirl hits theaters on June 30, 2026.

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2026-06-18 05:33