Sony's Spider-Man Strategy: Why Bad Movies Keep the Rights Alive
Sony Pictures holds the film rights to Spider-Man and his supporting characters, a deal dating back to Marvel's financial struggles in the 1990s. To keep those rights, the studio must regularly produce Spider-Man-related movies. However, its recent attempts—focused on characters like Kraven and Morbius—have struggled both critically and financially.
The original agreement required Sony to release a new Spider-Man movie every five years and nine months. If the studio produced three movies within eight years, it could then pause for seven years before the next one. This rule pushed Sony to develop its own Spider-Man Universe (SSU), built around side characters rather than the hero himself.
The results have been mixed. Films like Kraven the Hunter earned just $45–60 million against a $110 million budget, a sharp contrast to Marvel's Spider-Man: No Way Home, which grossed $1.910 billion. Critics have largely dismissed SSU entries since 2018, yet Sony's strategy remains clear: maintaining the brand keeps the rights secure.
Despite the setbacks, Sony is not abandoning Spider-Man. Upcoming projects include the third Spider-Verse animated movie and the streaming series Spider-Man: Spider-Noir. Meanwhile, Marvel and Disney continue their own plans, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in development. Sony also 'lends' the character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for films like No Way Home, ensuring his presence across franchises.
For now, no further SSU movies featuring Kraven, Madame Web, or Morbius are planned. The focus shifts instead to animated and streaming ventures, where the character's popularity remains strong.
Sony's approach—prioritising rights retention over box office success—has led to a string of underperforming movies. Yet the studio still controls Spider-Man's cinematic future, balancing its own projects with collaborations in the MCU. With animated sequels and new series on the way, the character's presence in entertainment shows no signs of fading.
