Why You Can’t Find “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” on Disney+

The frustrating truth is that “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” isn’t on Disney+ because of complex and pre-existing licensing agreements between Sony Pictures and other streaming services, primarily Netflix and Hulu. Disney doesn’t have the streaming rights to this particular film, a situation born from the tangled web (pun intended!) of Hollywood deals and intellectual property ownership.

The Web of Ownership and Streaming Rights

To truly understand why Miles Morales’ groundbreaking adventure isn’t gracing your Disney+ homepage, we need to delve into the intricate world of film rights. While Disney owns Marvel, and thus the character of Spider-Man within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Sony Pictures Entertainment retains the film rights to Spider-Man and related characters. This dates back to a deal made in the late 1990s when Marvel was facing financial difficulties and sold the rights to several of its characters.

This means Sony has the power to produce and distribute Spider-Man movies, including “Into the Spider-Verse,” and, crucially, to decide where those movies are streamed. Disney’s ownership of Marvel only extends to using Spider-Man in the MCU under a special agreement with Sony, which itself can be renegotiated. This agreement doesn’t automatically grant Disney the streaming rights to Sony’s Spider-Man films.

Decoding the Licensing Deals

The key to this specific absence lies in the licensing agreements Sony entered into before Disney+ even existed. These agreements, crafted with an eye toward maximizing revenue across various platforms, dictated which streaming services would host “Into the Spider-Verse” after its theatrical run.

It’s highly likely that Netflix and Hulu (which is majority-owned by Disney, ironically) secured the initial streaming rights through these deals. Such agreements are typically time-bound, meaning the rights eventually revert back to Sony, but even then, Disney+ isn’t automatically the next destination. Sony could choose to renew with existing partners, shop the rights to other streamers, or even launch their own dedicated streaming service to house their Spider-Man library (and indeed, they have the Crunchyroll platform and Sony Pictures Core).

The MCU Complicates Things Further

The fact that Spider-Man is both a Marvel character and the subject of Sony-produced films creates further complexity. The MCU films where Spider-Man appears (like “Homecoming,” “Far From Home,” and “No Way Home”) are a result of the unique agreement between Disney and Sony. However, this agreement doesn’t directly extend to Sony’s animated Spider-Man ventures like “Into the Spider-Verse” and its sequel, “Across the Spider-Verse.”

Think of it this way: Disney and Sony are essentially co-parenting Spider-Man in the MCU, but Sony is the sole parent of the Spider-Verse. Disney has visitation rights, but Sony calls the shots on where the Spider-Verse films live digitally.

Future Possibilities

While “Into the Spider-Verse” might not be on Disney+ right now, the streaming landscape is constantly evolving. As licensing agreements expire and new strategies emerge, the possibility of the film eventually making its way to Disney+ remains. However, it’s contingent on Sony’s future plans and their willingness to negotiate with Disney. The success of “Across the Spider-Verse” and the upcoming “Beyond the Spider-Verse” will undoubtedly influence these decisions.

Moreover, Disney and Sony are always in negotiations, which can involve the exchange of rights and access to different properties. So, while there’s no guarantee, fans can remain hopeful that a future deal might bring the Spider-Verse under the Disney+ umbrella. But for now, you’ll need to look elsewhere to experience Miles Morales’ amazing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions to further clarify the situation surrounding “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and its absence from Disney+:

1. Does Disney own Spider-Man?

No, Disney does not fully own Spider-Man. Disney owns Marvel Entertainment, which owns the character Spider-Man. However, Sony Pictures Entertainment owns the film rights to Spider-Man and related characters. This gives Sony the power to produce and distribute Spider-Man movies, including both live-action and animated films.

2. Why does Sony own the film rights to Spider-Man?

Sony acquired the film rights to Spider-Man in the late 1990s when Marvel was facing financial difficulties. To raise capital, Marvel sold the rights to several of its characters, including Spider-Man, to various studios. This deal pre-dates Disney’s acquisition of Marvel.

3. Is there a chance “Into the Spider-Verse” will ever be on Disney+?

Yes, there is a chance, but it’s not guaranteed. Streaming rights are typically licensed for a specific period. Once the current agreements expire, Sony could choose to license the film to Disney+, renew with existing partners, or explore other options. Negotiations between Disney and Sony are ongoing, so the possibility always exists.

4. Where can I watch “Into the Spider-Verse” if it’s not on Disney+?

Currently, “Into the Spider-Verse” is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu (sometimes), depending on the region and current licensing agreements. It is also available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video.

5. Does the deal between Disney and Sony regarding Spider-Man in the MCU affect streaming rights?

No, not directly. The deal that allows Spider-Man to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is separate from the licensing agreements that determine where Sony’s Spider-Man films are streamed. The MCU deal primarily concerns character usage in live-action films produced by Marvel Studios.

6. What is the difference between owning a character and owning film rights?

Owning a character, as Disney does through Marvel, means owning the intellectual property of the character itself, including its story, abilities, and appearance. Owning the film rights, as Sony does for Spider-Man, means owning the exclusive right to create and distribute movies based on that character.

7. Could Disney buy the film rights to Spider-Man from Sony?

Yes, Disney could potentially buy the film rights to Spider-Man from Sony, but it would be a massive and incredibly expensive transaction. Sony has shown no strong indication that they are looking to sell, especially given the success of recent Spider-Man films, including the Spider-Verse series. They see it as a valuable asset.

8. Does the success of “Across the Spider-Verse” impact the chances of “Into the Spider-Verse” coming to Disney+?

Potentially, yes. The success of “Across the Spider-Verse” reinforces the value of the Spider-Verse franchise, potentially making Sony more strategic in how they distribute the films, including the original. While it could increase Sony’s asking price for licensing or outright sale of the rights, it could also lead to a more comprehensive deal that benefits both parties. It all depends on the negotiations.

9. Why is Hulu mentioned when Disney owns it?

While Disney has majority ownership of Hulu, Hulu operates with a degree of autonomy and has its own licensing agreements. Therefore, Hulu could secure streaming rights independently of Disney+. Furthermore, prior to the full Disney ownership, Hulu had existing deals that continue to be honored.

10. Are there any Spider-Man movies on Disney+?

Yes, but these are typically the MCU Spider-Man movies. Due to the agreement between Disney and Sony, films like “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (at certain times and in certain regions) are available on Disney+. However, these are Marvel Studios productions featuring Spider-Man, not Sony’s standalone Spider-Man films.

11. How long do streaming rights agreements usually last?

The duration of streaming rights agreements can vary widely, but they typically last between 2 to 5 years. The specific terms are negotiated on a case-by-case basis between the studio and the streaming service.

12. If Sony launched their own streaming service, would “Into the Spider-Verse” be on it?

Potentially, yes. If Sony launched a dedicated streaming service focused on their film library, including Spider-Man properties, it’s highly likely that “Into the Spider-Verse” would be a cornerstone offering. This is because they would have full control over the distribution rights. In fact, Sony Pictures Core already exists for PlayStation users.