In a shocking move,Kraven the Hunterhas already debuted on two streaming platforms within just two months. This is an unprecedentedly fast transition for a major superhero movie, even for the doomedSony Spider-Man Universe. The rapid shift to numerous platforms suggests a desperate attempt to salvage its financial losses and could serve as the final indication that Sony’s attempt to build a standaloneMarveluniverse of Spider-Man characters is well and truly over.
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe reached its breaking point withKraven the Hunter. The Aaron Taylor-Johnson-led film was expected to inject fresh energy into the struggling franchise, but it instead became one of the biggest superhero box office disappointments in recent years. With a lackluster theatrical run,Kraven the Huntercemented the SSU’s ongoing struggles followingMorbiusandMadame Web.
The Sony Spider-Man Universe’s Downfall Seemed Confirmed By Kraven The Hunter’s Low Box Office
The SSU faced repeated significant challenges, withKraventhe Huntermarking a notable low point. Released on June 26, 2025, the film concluded its theatrical run on February 13. During this time, it earned a global box office total of approximately $60 million against a production budget estimated between $110–130 million (viaThe Numbers).
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Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is now over, and the franchise used some great Marvel characters but ended up not fulfilling their potential.
This performance positionsKraven the Hunteras one of the lowest-grossing superhero films in recent history. The film’s opening weekend was particularly underwhelming, generating just $11 million domestically. Thisreflects a broader trend of diminishing returns for the SSU, following previous underperformersMorbiusandMadame Web.
Kraven The Hunter Releasing On 2 Streaming Platforms Two Months After Its Theatrical Release Seems To Be The Final Nail In The Sony Spider-Man Universe’s Coffin
In an unexpected move,Kraven the Hunterbecame available on digital platformsjust one month after its theatrical debut, with a digital release on August 15, 2025, on AppleTV. Subsequently, the film is scheduled to stream on Netflix starting June 28, 2025,less than two months after the theatrical run ended. This rapid transition from theaters to streaming is unusual for major superhero franchises, which typically maintain longer exclusive theatrical windows.
The expedited digital release suggests aneffort to recoup losses by capitalizing on home-viewing audiences. However, this strategy may also indicate diminished confidence in the film’s continued box office viability. Regardless, this seems to indicate that the SSU is finally being put out its misery, and not with a bang, but a whimper. Considering that the strongest part of the franchise, Tom Hardy’sVenomtrilogy, concluded, there is little left to drive audiences back into theaters. Now thatKraven the Hunteris seemingly being shopped around for all it’s worth, it’s safe to assume the SSU is over.
