Sony’sMarvelanimation,Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, recently received a release update that I’m happy about, knowing that it avoids a major trilogy mistake committed by other franchises.Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verseis the long-awaited finale toSony’s celebrated Spider-Verse franchise. AfterSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseandSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseearned significant acclaim for Sony, the trilogy remains a bastion for Spider-Man fans' faith in the studio in the wake ofSony’s Spider-Man Universe collapsing. Unsurprisingly, this means that anticipation for the threequel is at a fever pitch as fans clamor for updates on its release date.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versewas released in 2023, which isn’t that long ago in the grand scheme of superhero movie release schedules. Nevertheless, fans were teased with a 2024 release date early inSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’s production, which has since been postponed. While I’m not shocked that the sequel’s release date is taking a substantial amount of time to make, frustration is rooted in the lack of clarity, as no replacement release date has thus far been announced. The latest update, meanwhile, threatens to intensify frustration further.
Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’s Newest Report Means It’s Unlikely To Release Before 2026
Sony Has Ruled Out A 2025 Release Date
A recent report byDeadlinehas revealed thatSony does not plan to releaseSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versein 2025. With the dissolution of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe afterKraven the Hunter, next year is particularly bereft of Spider-Man and Spider-Man-adjacent characters. Over in the MCU,production is well underway forSpider-Man 4, but the movie won’t release until summer 2026. Sony’sSpider-Man Noirseries is still going ahead but is yet to receive a release date of its own. This contrasts 2024, which housed three ofSony’s Spider-Man Universe movies:Madame Web,Venom: The Last Dance, andKraven the Hunter.
Spider-Man 4will be released after the first Avengers movie since 2019,Avengers: Doomsday.
It’s worth noting that this is no confirmation thatSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versewill be released in 2026, either. While we can certainly estimate based on recent revelations about the production schedule,the filmmakers have been adamant about releasing the movie when it’s ready. This is, after all, anaward-winning Marvel franchisethat earns acclaim for its painstakingly rendered animation style. Ultimately, while it pains me to think thatSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versemay take more than two years to be released, I think this is worth feeling hopeful about.
Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse Needs Time To Perfect
I’m quite encouraged by the news that Sony is taking its time with its newest movie. It’s no secret that delayed release schedules can indicate issues, as exemplified by Sony’sKraven the Hunter, which experienced several release date delays and was ultimately skewered by critics. Nevertheless, the past suggests that the opposite is true for Sony’s Spider-Verse franchise. With the bar now being so high,I’d much prefer that Sony Pictures Animation spends as much time as needed to iron out the kinks and ensureSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verseis a worthy conclusionto the trilogy.
Ranking Every Marvel Trilogy From Worst To Best
Marvel loves its trilogies… but from X-Men and Spider-Man to the MCU, which are the best of the three-part comic stories?
While recent developments aboutSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versehave revealed that some voice actors have already been recording their lines, the franchise’s unique blend of animation takes time. I worry that the threequel would lose too much luster should Sony have chosen to release it promptly. While I’m sure a guaranteed win with its celebrated animated movies is especially tempting after suffering a significant blow withKraven the Hunter,I respect Sony’s decision to take a more measured approach. Besides, it isn’t as if the move is unprecedented.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’s Release Date Always Teased We’d Have A Long Wait For Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Took Five Years To Make
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versewas released in 2018 to a dizzying level of acclaim, raking in several awards including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versethreatened to imitate that success with an Oscars nod of its own, though it stopped short of the win. Still, the almost identical level of acclaim seemingly came after a substantial development process, asSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Versewas released five years after its prequel in 2023. If Sony Pictures Animation follows a similar schedule withSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, we could be in for a long wait yet.
While I’m obviously encouraged by this notion, I stand by the fact that I’d much rather seeSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versestick the superhero landing late than fumble it as early as 2025.
Several factors hint that this will not be the case, however. A report that suggestedSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versesuffered an overhaul that pushed its release date back to 2027 was discredited by the filmmakersthemselves, suggesting that they plan to release it sooner. While I’m obviously encouraged by this notion, I stand by the fact that I’d much rather seeSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versestick the superhero landing late than fumble it as early as 2025.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Cast
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is the direct continuation of 2023’s Across the Spider-Verse, and is the third film in the Miles Morales animated Spider-Man franchise.
