Sony’s latest Marvel film, Venom: The Last Dance, had a rocky start, but it’s holding strong, showing that the Sony Spider-Man Universe may still have life. Despite a weaker-than-expected $51 million domestic opening weekend, the movie’s resilience, with only a 49% drop in its second weekend, hints at a steady fan base and continued international success. So far, Venom: The Last Dance has grossed $317 million worldwide, putting it on track to surpass its predecessor, Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Sony hopes this momentum will carry over to Kraven the Hunter, its next Marvel movie set to release on December 13, 2024. However, Kraven faces intense competition in a crowded holiday season, with major releases like The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Plus, its R rating could limit its appeal among family audiences, a common demographic during the holidays.
Sony is banking on Kraven to refresh its Spider-Man Universe, but the film’s success will likely depend on strong word-of-mouth. While critics have been lukewarm on Venom 3, audiences have shown more enthusiasm, giving it an 81% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Kraven may need similar audience support to stand out. The film’s talented cast, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, and Russell Crowe, along with director J.C. Chandor’s acclaimed background (Margin Call, A Most Violent Year), could make Kraven an unexpected holiday hit, despite Sony’s past missteps with Madame Web and Morbius.
In the end, Kraven the Hunter has the potential to ride Venom 3‘s wave of audience support, but it will need a positive reception and strong marketing to make a splash amid stiff competition. With the right elements in place, Kraven could surprise audiences and reinforce Sony’s Spider-Man Universe as a viable Marvel competitor.
