If you’re a Marvel fan scrolling through Disney Plus looking for SpiderMan: Homecoming (2017) or SpiderMan: Far From Home (2019), you might be wondering: Why aren’t these SpiderMan movies available?
The answer involves Hollywood deals, licensing battles, and the complicated web of SpiderMan’s movie rights. In this article, we’ll break down:
✔ Who owns SpiderMan movies?
✔ Why Disney+ doesn’t have them (yet)
✔ Where you can stream them legally
✔ Will they ever come to Disney Plus?
Let’s untangle this cinematic mystery!
The Short Answer: Sony Owns SpiderMan’s Movie Rights
Unlike most Marvel heroes, SpiderMan’s film rights have a unique history:
- 1998: Sony Pictures bought SpiderMan’s movie rights from Marvel (before Disney owned Marvel).
- 2015: Marvel Studios (Disney) struck a deal with Sony to share SpiderMan in the MCU.
- Result: Sony still owns the films, but Disney can use the character in team-up movies (like Avengers).
This means:
✅ Disney/Marvel can use SpiderMan in MCU films (like No Way Home).
❌ But Sony controls solo SpiderMan movies’ distribution—including Homecoming and Far From Home.
Why Aren’t They on Disney Plus?
1. Sony’s Licensing Deals
Sony doesn’t have its own streaming service (like Disney+), so it licenses its movies to other platforms. Currently:
- Netflix has the U.S. streaming rights to Homecoming and Far From Home (as of 2024).
- Other regions may have them on different platforms (e.g., Amazon Prime, Sky Cinema).
2. The “Pay-1 Window” System
Hollywood studios often sell exclusive streaming rights in cycles:
- Theatrical Release → Digital Purchase → Pay-1 (Netflix, etc.) → Pay-2 (Disney+, HBO Max, etc.)
Since Sony’s deal with Netflix is active, Disney+ can’t stream these films yet.
3. The Sony-Disney Rivalry
While Sony and Disney collaborate on SpiderMan films, they’re still competitors. Sony profits more from licensing to rivals (Netflix) than giving Disney+ free content.
Where Can You Watch SpiderMan Homecoming & Far From Home?
| Movie | U.S. Streaming (2024) | International Options |
|---|---|---|
| SpiderMan: Homecoming | Netflix | Amazon Prime, Sony Liv (India) |
| SpiderMan: Far From Home | Netflix | Sky Cinema (UK), Foxtel (Australia) |
Other Ways to Watch:
- Digital Rental/Purchase: Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube Movies
- Blu-ray/DVD: Available at retailers
Will They Ever Come to Disney Plus?
Possibly—but not soon. Here’s why:
- Netflix’s Deal Expires: Sony’s contract with Netflix reportedly lasts ~18 months per film. After that, they could move to Disney+.
- Disney-Sony Agreement: In 2021, Sony agreed to let future SpiderMan films stream on Disney+ after their Netflix window.
- Example: SpiderMan: No Way Home (2021) hit Netflix first, then Disney+ in 2023.
- Older films (Homecoming, Far From Home) weren’t part of this deal but may follow later.
Prediction: Homecoming and Far From Home could arrive on Disney+ by 2025–2026.
Why Is No Way Home on Disney+ But Not the Others?
- New Deal Terms: The 2021 agreement included No Way Home.
- Older Films Excluded: Sony’s pre-2021 movies had existing contracts.
The Bigger Picture: SpiderMan’s Streaming Future
Disney clearly wants all SpiderMan movies on Disney+. But for now:
- MCU SpiderMan films (No Way Home) will eventually migrate.
- Sony’s non-MCU SpiderMan movies (Venom, Morbius) likely won’t.
What About Other SpiderMan Movies?
| Movie | Rights Owner | On Disney+? |
|---|---|---|
| SpiderMan (2002) | Sony | No (Netflix/Starz) |
| The Amazing SpiderMan (2012) | Sony | No (FX/Hulu) |
| SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) | Sony | No (Netflix) |
| SpiderMan: No Way Home (2021) | Sony | Yes (after Netflix) |
How to Stay Updated
To track when Homecoming and Far From Home hit Disney+:
- Follow Disney+’s official announcements.
- Check JustWatch.com for streaming updates.
Final Verdict: Patience, True Believers!
While SpiderMan: Homecoming and Far From Home aren’t on Disney+ today, they’ll likely web-swing their way there eventually. For now, Netflix (or your local rental service) is the go-to.
Key Takeaways:
- Sony owns solo SpiderMan films’ streaming rights.
- Netflix has them until their licensing deal expires.
- Disney+ will probably get them in a few years.
FAQ: SpiderMan on Disney+
Q: Why does Sony own SpiderMan movies?
A: They bought the rights in the ’90s—long before Disney bought Marvel.
Q: Can I watch Tom Holland’s SpiderMan on Disney+?
A: Only No Way Home is there now; the others will follow later.
Q: Are the Tobey Maguire/Andrew Garfield SpiderMan movies on Disney+?
A: No—Sony controls those too, and they’re currently on Netflix/Starz.
Conclusion
The absence of SpiderMan: Homecoming and Far From Home on Disney+ boils down to rights, contracts, and studio rivalry. But with Sony and Disney playing nice lately, hope isn’t lost!
