Why Venom Is the Only Sony Spider-Man Universe Spinoff That Works

In the world of Spider-Man films, there are the traditional ones like the Spider-Man movies we all know, and then there’s another group called Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). What sets these SSU films apart is that they don’t feature everyone’s favorite web-slinger. Due to legal rights issues and a unique arrangement where Tom Holland’s Spider-Man can appear in the Disney-owned Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sony has produced several live-action movies starring less popular Spider-Man characters instead of Peter Parker himself. This strategy allows them to maintain the main Spider-Man brand without watering it down. The results have been a mix, with films like Morbius and Madame Web becoming infamous for their confusing failures. However, one SSU film has succeeded—and succeeded enough to warrant not just one but two sequels, including one that’s recently hit theaters. So why does Venom work when the rest of the SSU doesn’t?

All 3 Venom movies ranked from worst to best

Initially, it seemed unlikely that Venom would lead a film series, given his status as Spider-Man’s arch-nemesis in Marvel Comics. Despite being one of the most beloved villains, he was still a villain at heart. However, the alien symbiote managed to defy expectations, garnering popularity comparable to its more renowned adversary and eventually starring in its own movie franchise.