Supergirl's Life Off the Page on the Big and Small Screens

She's one of DC's most powerful heroes, she's been reimagined across decades of film and television, and now as she's returning to the big screen. In this episode of Xpanded Universe we take a deep dive into the live-action and animated legacy of Kara Zor-El — the Girl of Steel herself. From the 1984 theatrical film that somehow assembled an Oscar-worthy cast and still managed to put the character into live-action cold storage for thirty years, to six seasons of CW television, to the crown jewels of the DC Animated Universe — we cover it all. And along the way, Mairead delivers what may be the most entertainingly exasperated critique of an 80s movie you'll hear this year (the landscaper subplot will not be defended here). It does raise the question of how a film co-starring both Peter O'Toole and Faye Dunaway could fail to launch a franchise. Whether you're a lifelong Supergirl fan, a DC newcomer trying to get up to speed because of the 2026 film, or someone who just wants to hear two people talk passionately about live action and animated superhero adventures — this one is for you. New to Xpanded Universe? We're a comics-rooted channel exploring the decades-long background of these beloved characters. One of our classic recurring episodes is Off the Page where we look at how these 2-D characters have been reinterpreted as they make the leap to screens big and small. Hit the subscribe button and join us every week. 00:00 Introduction 01:04 The 1984 Movie 10:56 The Next Live Action Supergirl 11:25 The CW Supergirl 16:26 Changing Her Costume 19:28 DCAU Supergirl 23:43 The 2026 Film 24:31 Woman of Tomorrow & The New Film