Marvel’s streaming presence just got larger—and perhaps a little more complicated. Madame Web, the polarizing entry from 2024 that sparked ongoing debate about Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), has officially moved from Netflix to Disney+, marking another notable shift in where audiences encounter Marvel-related content.
Disney+ has become home to a number of Marvel’s cinematic misfires, and the arrival of Madame Web does not change that. As of November 14, the Dakota Johnson-led movie—scoring only 10% on Rotten Tomatoes—officially left Netflix and joined Disney+. That means subscribers now have access to one of Marvel’s most criticized films alongside blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame (2019), which remains one of the highest-grossing films in history.
Released in February 2024, Madame Web earned $100.5 million worldwide. With a production budget estimated between $80–100 million, those numbers were far from what Sony expected. The film became widely viewed as the lowest point yet for the SSU, which already included commercially troubled titles like Morbius (2022) and Kraven the Hunter (2024). The latter took in just $62 million globally.
But despite the online criticism, the move to Disney+ isn’t simply a last stop. It’s part of a planned strategy tied to Sony’s licensing deals. Netflix was granted the “Pay-1 window” rights, which typically makes it Sony’s first streaming destination. Now, with the arrival of the “Pay-2 window”—as outlined by The Direct—Disney+ has stepped up, making room for another Marvel title outside the official MCU.
The twist? Madame Web actually performed well on Netflix. It turned into a heavily watched film during its run on the platform, proving that critical reception doesn’t always predict streaming success. Similar outcomes were seen with Snow White (2025) and Elio (2025), which climbed the viewership charts once they reached streaming, despite their theatrical struggles.
The SSU So Far
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) is built around Marvel characters connected to Spider-Man, but without making Spider-Man the central focus. Created by Sony Pictures, it operates separately from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and focuses on lesser-seen heroes, anti-heroes, and villains from Spider-Man’s world.
The films tend to function as standalone stories, occasionally adding brief nods to the Multiverse in post-credit scenes. These moments sometimes form minor connections to the MCU, though the SSU’s continuity remains fragmented.
So far, six live-action films make up the SSU: Venom (2018) and Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), both financial successes; Morbius (2022); Madame Web (2024), which serves as a prequel following Cassandra Webb; and two more recent releases—Venom: The Last Dance (2024), closing out the Venom storyline, and Kraven the Hunter (2024).
With Madame Web now accessible to millions of Disney+ subscribers, its legacy could shift yet again. Will fresh eyes find something new in the film, or will it remain a cautionary tale in Sony’s ongoing Marvel strategy?
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