Barbie sequel rights stall after stars seek pay; DCU recalibrates as Supergirl flops against Toy Story 5, signaling Warner Bros. shifts in superhero strategy.
Toy Story 5 has opened to record franchise returns, grossing roughly $312m worldwide and dominating ticket sales. Low‑budget horror films made by online creators — notably Obsession, Backrooms and Iron Lung — have posted surprise gains. By contrast, DCilms' Supergirl has underperformed, opening far below studio expectations and drawing poor reviews.
Supergirl has opened to disappointing box office figures, prompting DC Studios to reassess its plans. Critics have praised Milly Alcock’s performance but criticize pacing, tone, and ambition. The film expands DCU’s reach with space-set adventures while raising questions about future direction and character use.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is showering the internet with theories as Sadie Sink joins the cast in an unknown role. Trailers hint at a mystery metamorphosis and the Hulk’s return, while fan speculation about Sink’s character runs high amid a secretive production.
Minions & Monsters has opened strongly, topping North American box office with $36.4 million for the holiday weekend and $61.4 million over five days. Toy Story 5 follows with $31 million, while Young Washington debuts around $21 million. Supergirl trails, and overall weekend revenue is down year-on-year but up for the summer period vs 2025.
Barbie’s sequel rights face a race against December deadlines as Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Greta Gerwig strike terms with Warner Bros. Talks, per The New York Times and others, have stalled; Mattel could reclaim rights if negotiations falter, risking a new Barbie project with an alternate studio.