Sony recently announced a special agreement with Disney that will have a big impact on where fans can watch Sony Pictures' giant catalog of films moving forward. The entirety of Sony's library could be impacted by the deal, but perhaps most intriguing is the fate of Spider-Man and his many cinematic appearances. Here is everything you need to know.
Spider-Man has always had a somewhat murky status in the film industry. For many years, Sony retained the onscreen rights to Spider-Man, preventing the character from joining Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character has always had a strong cinematic presence; Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy remains one of the most acclaimed entries in the superhero genre, leaving many to wonder what Raimi's scrapped comic book movies could have been. But after the relative commercial failure of 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, directed by Mark Webb, Sony Pictures had a change of heart. The company collaborated with Marvel Studios in bringing Spider-Man into the MCU. Still, the rights to several other Marvel assets have remained in Sony's possession. The latest agreement between Sony and Disney, however, is about to change that.
The new agreement between Sony and Disney allows Sony's extensive library to stream on Disney+, Hulu, and the several linear television networks owned by The Walt Disney Company. The development comes just a few weeks after Sony and Netflix made a similar announcement. It seemed at the time that Disney+ was unlikely to stream any Spider-Man for the foreseeable future, but Sony seems to have leveraged itself into two (three if you consider its soon-to-expire deal with Starz) lucrative deals, both of which are sure to please fans and subscribers. Beginning in 2022, Sony theatrical releases will head to Netflix first, but they will arrive soon after on Disney+ as well. The implications of the deal could have far-reaching consequences throughout Sony's diverse library of franchises and films.
What Sony Titles Could Be Impacted By The Sony-Disney Deal?
The centerpiece of the deal between Sony Pictures and Disney Plus is obviously Spider-Man and his Marvel peers. Still, Sony was sure to highlight the potential for its many other franchises as it relates to the deal. The company drew specific attention to the Jumanji and Hotel Transylvania properties. The final film in the Hotel Transylvania franchise is set to release in the summer of 2021, this time without Adam Sandler. The franchise may be coming to a close, but Disney now has an opportunity to leverage it for future endeavors. A spin-off show already aired on Disney Channel in 2017, so Disney is already familiar with the franchise's potential. If nothing else, it should find a new home on Disney+, alongside several other members of Sony's library.
The next Jumanji film – the second sequel to the rebooted franchise – is currently under development at Sony, but its long-term home will likely be on Disney+. With such a huge stable of properties already in its possession, Disney may ultimately opt to do very little with its newly acquired rights, but the deal still speaks to the company's growing omnipotence in the world of entertainment and storytelling. Fans are well aware of the company's previous deal with 20th Century Fox, which will allow it to introduce characters like Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four into the MCU. Now, with Sony Pictures' films set to stream on Disney+ and Hulu, the Disney machine is in a position to steamroll ahead. Other properties that could be affected by the Sony-Disney deal include Ghostbusters, Men in Black, and Stuart Little. Sony notes that some films will be available to stream on Hulu as early as June of 2021.
How Will Spider-Man Will Be Affected By The Sony-Disney Deal?
Sony was smart to highlight some of its other popular franchises in announcing its new partnership with Disney, but there is no denying that Spider-Man is the real draw here. Just a few months ago, it seemed Spidey's long-term fate in the MCU was in jeopardy, as Disney and Sony struggled to reach a deal that would keep the character in the extended universe. Now, not only is the web-slinger here to stay, but he will have a streaming home on Disney+. It remains unclear, however, exactly when Sony's several Spider-Man films will be arriving on Disney's streaming services.
Spider-Man: No Way Home debuts in theaters on December 17, 2021. After its theatrical run, the film will head to Netflix, where it is expected to spend roughly 18 months or so. Afterward, it will have a more permanent stay on Disney+. Such is the general path that Sony Pictures' upcoming films will follow, but what does this suggest for the Spider-Man films already out there? Because Sony has already confirmed that some of its films will arrive on Hulu by June of 2021, it is a decent bet that at least one of those films will be a Spider-Man one. Raimi's trilogy is currently available on Starz, so that deal will likely have to expire before those films can arrive on Disney+ or Hulu. The same applies for 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home and 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man. Fans should keep a lookout for Spider-Man: Homecoming, however. The film is not currently tied up in the deal with Starz, nor is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse or The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Streaming options for those films are sparse, but they can also currently be found live on FX Movie Channel, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, suggesting they may be arriving on Hulu or Disney+ sooner rather than later. Sony's deal with Disney seems to be a win-win for all involved and ensures plenty of Spider-Man in the future.