Marvel has gone through a weird phase lately. For a studio once praised for flawless planning and bold creative swings, things suddenly felt uncertain. Fans spent months wondering when the magic would return. Then, in a twist that nobody could have predicted, a handful of projects once labeled “career-ending bombs” suddenly resurfaced. Now, those same films are stirring up fresh debate and surprising everyone who watches.
MCU Stumbles Create Doubt
For more than a decade, Marvel Studios couldn’t miss. Every release packed theaters, sparked memes, and fueled fandom excitement. That run slowed dramatically. Titles such as The Eternals (2021), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and Thunderbolts (2025) didn’t land with the same impact.
They earned some revenue, but nothing close to the billion-dollar highs fans expected in the era. Reviews were overwhelmingly negative, and repeat viewings simply didn’t happen. Even at-home streaming couldn’t revive them. That undeniable dip made fans question whether the MCU had finally hit a wall and whether Marvel could regain its spark.
Sony’s Marvel Universe Hit Even Harder
Marvel’s brand stretches beyond the MCU, and Sony keeps building out its own corner tied to Spider-Man. Yet, outside of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, the results haven’t been kind. Madame Web (2024) and Kraven the Hunter (2024) represent two of Sony’s toughest outings. Neither drew crowds. Critics weren’t impressed. Both fell well short of financial expectations, with one barely breaking even and the other falling far below its budget.
Superhero fatigue chatter grew louder. Fans questioned whether audiences were simply over capes, gadgets, and Multiverse storylines. But then came an unexpected shift.
Streaming Gives Fallen Films New Life
Once these titles hit Netflix, everything changed. Both Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter shot up the platform’s charts, stunning viewers and industry watchers. Suddenly, the same movies mocked across the internet were finding new momentum. One even reached the top spot, while the other secured a top-five position.
Was it curiosity? Morbid fascination? Fans wanted to see whether the criticisms were exaggerated. Whatever the motivation, people pressed play. That streaming surge reopened conversations that seemed settled and proved that audiences sometimes enjoy at home what they skipped in theaters.
Sony Adjusts Course With Spider-Verse Focus
Sony took notice, but it’s still shifting strategy. The studio’s live-action universe is slowing, while its partnership with Disney rolls on with Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026). Meanwhile, animation remains Sony’s strongest Marvel asset. The Spider-Verse franchise continues in Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027), bringing Miles Morales back after his cliffhanger journey.
Sony will still license its live-action films to streaming services, especially now that surprising viewership proves there’s still curiosity out there. If that trend continues, it may reshape how Sony evaluates future characters and stories.
Could These Films Get Second Chances?
Usually, a poor theatrical run ends discussions of a sequel immediately. But when a flop turns into a streaming hit, Hollywood executives pay attention. Cameos, Multiverse appearances, or spinoff nods suddenly feel possible. Full sequels may still be a stretch, but nothing is off the table anymore.
Streaming revived these titles, and studios rarely ignore renewed engagement. If clicks continue, we could see unexpected returns.
Marvel’s Momentum Starts Turning
Marvel and Disney are closely monitoring this shift. Instead of endless criticism, the conversation now includes surprise, curiosity, and cautious optimism. It’s not full redemption, but it’s a movement in the right direction.
A Plot Twist for the Ages
After months of doubt, stalled hype, and talk of superhero burnout, who would have guessed old “flops” would help spark new excitement? The big screen shut the door, but streaming cracked it open again, giving Marvel room to breathe and regroup. If the studio plays this moment wisely, this could mark the start of a revival fans didn’t expect.
