Sony's Spider-Man Universe Hits a New Low with Kraven the Hunter

Sony's Spider-Man universe may be reaching its conclusion as the upcoming film Kraven the Hunter is anticipated to perform worse than the critically damaged Madame Web. Set to release on December 13, Kraven is expected to gross between $13 and $15 million in its opening weekend, indicating a significant decline in audience interest. Following a series of disappointing films including Venom and Morbius, which received overwhelmingly poor reviews, Sony has reportedly shifted focus back to the mainline Spider-Man films under Marvel Studios. Meanwhile, Tom Holland confirmed that the next Spider-Man film is set to begin filming in 2025, highlighting a potential new chapter for the franchise.

It is uncertain if Kraven the Hunter will breathe new life into Sony's struggling Spider-Man universe, given its projected low opening numbers and the poor critical reception of previous films. Current reports suggest that Sony may abandon this universe in favor of returning to the main Spider-Man series in collaboration with Marvel Studios.

Kraven the Hunter stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role as the formidable hunter who goes after Spider-Man. This film is crafted by director J.C. Chandor, who has asked audiences to keep an open mind. The Sony Spider-Man universe began with the release of Venom in 2018, followed by several sequels and spin-offs, none of which have notably resonated with critics or audiences to the degree that the mainline Spider-Man films have. Sony has plans for Spider-Man 4, tentatively scheduled for a July 2026 release, as a continuation of the collaboration with Marvel.