Why You Won’t Find “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” on Disney+
The simple, albeit frustrating, answer is this: “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (Venom 2) is not on Disney+ because it’s owned and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, not Disney. Disney+ primarily hosts content produced by Disney’s various studios, including Marvel Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic. While there’s a relationship between Sony and Disney-owned Marvel Studios regarding Spider-Man’s inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), that partnership doesn’t extend to streaming rights for Sony’s standalone Spider-Man universe films, which includes “Venom” and its sequel.
The Complex Web of Ownership and Distribution
Understanding why “Venom 2” isn’t on Disney+ requires untangling a complex web of ownership and distribution rights. Here’s a breakdown:
Sony Pictures owns the film rights: Back in the late 1990s, Sony Pictures acquired the film rights to Spider-Man and all related characters, including Venom. This means they have the power to produce and distribute movies based on these characters independently of Marvel Studios.
Disney owns Marvel Studios: Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment in 2009, bringing characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor under their banner. However, the Spider-Man film rights remained with Sony.
The Spider-Man Partnership (Sort Of): A groundbreaking deal was struck between Sony and Marvel Studios allowing Spider-Man (Tom Holland) to appear in MCU films like “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Marvel Studios co-produced the Spider-Man standalone films within the MCU, like “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This collaboration significantly benefited both studios.
Standalone Sony Universe: Despite the partnership, Sony maintains its separate Spider-Man universe, featuring characters like Venom, Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and Madame Web. These films are entirely owned and distributed by Sony, operating independently from the MCU.
Streaming Deals: Sony has established streaming agreements with other platforms, typically Netflix initially and then potentially shifting to other services. This is a major factor in determining where “Venom 2” and other Sony films ultimately land for streaming.
Therefore, “Venom 2” is a Sony property and its streaming availability is dictated by Sony’s distribution agreements. It’s about business and pre-existing contracts more than anything else. It is on Starz.
Where Can You Watch “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”?
Currently, the availability of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” varies depending on your region. In the United States, you can typically find it on streaming services like Starz. It’s also available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability changes over time, so it’s always best to check your local listings. Keep an eye out for any announcements regarding future streaming deals or platform changes.
The Future of Sony Content on Streaming
The streaming landscape is constantly evolving, and it’s difficult to predict the future with certainty. However, here are a few potential scenarios:
Continued Licensing Agreements: Sony may continue to license its films to various streaming services on a rotating basis. This allows them to maximize revenue and reach a wider audience.
Creation of a Dedicated Streaming Service: Sony could eventually launch its own dedicated streaming service, similar to Disney+ or Paramount+. This would give them complete control over their content library.
Further Collaboration with Disney: While unlikely for the entire Sony Spider-Man universe, further collaboration with Disney on specific projects could lead to some Sony-owned characters appearing on Disney+ in the future, although this is mostly speculation.
Ultimately, the decision of where “Venom 2” and other Sony films will stream rests with Sony Pictures and their strategic business decisions. For now, keep an eye on Starz and other digital rental/purchase platforms if you’re looking to watch Eddie Brock and Venom’s chaotic adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions related to the streaming availability of “Venom 2” and the broader context of Sony’s Spider-Man universe:
Will “Venom 2” ever be on Disney+? It’s highly unlikely “Venom 2” will ever be on Disney+ due to Sony’s ownership of the film and their independent distribution agreements.
Why is Spider-Man in the MCU but not Venom? The agreement between Sony and Marvel Studios specifically covers Spider-Man’s character. Venom and other Spider-Man universe characters are not part of that deal.
Does Disney own any part of Venom? No, Disney does not own any part of Venom. Sony Pictures owns all the film rights to the character.
Is there a chance of a crossover between Venom and the MCU? While not currently planned, a crossover between Venom and the MCU is possible in the future. This would require further negotiation and agreement between Sony and Marvel Studios. The multiverse has opened up the possibilities.
Where can I watch “Venom” (the first movie)? The availability of the first “Venom” movie varies by region and streaming service. Check platforms like Starz, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Vudu.
What streaming service has the rights to Sony movies? Currently, the streaming rights to Sony movies are spread across multiple platforms, including Netflix (for older releases and some first window rights), Starz, and various digital purchase/rental services. There’s no single service with exclusive rights to all Sony films.
Is “Spider-Man: No Way Home” on Disney+? “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is also not on Disney+ due to Sony’s ownership and distribution rights. It typically streams on platforms like Starz.
Why is the Spider-Man partnership important? The Spider-Man partnership is important because it allows Spider-Man to be integrated into the MCU, enriching both the MCU narrative and Sony’s Spider-Man universe. It benefits both studios financially and creatively.
What is Sony’s strategy for its Spider-Man universe? Sony’s strategy is to build a standalone universe featuring Spider-Man related characters like Venom, Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and Madame Web. These films operate independently from the MCU but could potentially connect in the future.
Could Disney buy the Spider-Man film rights from Sony? While theoretically possible, it’s highly unlikely Disney would buy the Spider-Man film rights outright. Sony has consistently shown no interest in selling, as the Spider-Man franchise is incredibly valuable to them.
How do streaming deals affect movie availability? Streaming deals dictate which platforms have the rights to stream a movie for a specific period. These deals are often complex and can change over time, leading to variations in availability.
Will there be more “Venom” movies? Given the financial success of the first two “Venom” movies, it’s highly likely that there will be more “Venom” movies in the future. Sony is committed to expanding its Spider-Man universe.
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