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The short answer
Control is shared: Sony keeps the theatrical rights it bought in the 1990s, including the animated Spider-Verse features, while Marvel keeps the character on the comics, TV animation and merchandise side. Since 2015, a collaboration deal has allowed Peter Parker to appear in the MCU. We set out the full timeline below.
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Who owns Spider-Man? A look back at a licensing war
Spider-Man is one of the most popular heroes in the Marvel universe… but also one of the most complicated legally. Contrary to what many fans think, Spider-Man is not entirely owned by Marvel or Disney. He sits at the heart of a delicate partnership between several industry giants: Marvel Studios, The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures.
It all starts in the 1990s. Marvel, in financial trouble, sells the film rights to several characters to different studios. Among them, Sony buys the rights to Spider-Man and his associated characters (Venom, Aunt May, Mary Jane and so on). That is what makes Sam Raimi’s trilogy possible in the 2000s, a worldwide success.
But when Disney buys Marvel in 2009, things get complicated: Spider-Man stays under Sony Pictures’ control for film, while Disney/Marvel owns all the rights to the comics, the animated series, the toys, the merchandising and some of the spin-off products.
To understand everything about the web-slinger’s evolution on screen, explore our page dedicated to the Spider-Man films, with a full look back at every saga, from Tobey to Tom Holland.
🎥 You can also read our article ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home – The multiverse enters the MCU’ to see how this Disney/Sony partnership made a historic crossover between the different versions of the hero possible.
And if you want to collect items tied to each universe, take a look at our Spider-Man figures: models inspired by the Sony films, Marvel Studios and the Spider-Verse universe.
Sony Pictures
Bought the Spider-Man film rights in the 1990s, along with his associated characters: Venom, Aunt May, Mary Jane.
Disney and Marvel
Since buying Marvel in 2009, they hold the comics, the animated series, the toys, the merchandising and some of the spin-off products.
Spider-Man’s return to Marvel: a landmark partnership with Disney
After Sam Raimi’s trilogy and the two films with Andrew Garfield, Sony hits a dead end: the Spider-Man film universe is starting to run out of steam. Meanwhile, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is exploding with Iron Man, Avengers and Captain America under Disney’s stewardship. Audiences are calling for Spider-Man alongside the other Marvel heroes… but legally, it is not possible.
In 2015, an unprecedented deal is signed between Sony and Disney/Marvel Studios. It allows Spider-Man to join the MCU while remaining Sony’s property on screen. A win-win deal:
🕷️ Marvel Studios (Disney) can use Spider-Man in its films (e.g. Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame). 🎬 Sony Pictures still produces the solo Spider-Man films with Marvel as creative partner (Homecoming, Far From Home, No Way Home).
This is how Tom Holland becomes the MCU’s official new Peter Parker. His young, modern version, connected to Tony Stark, appeals to a new generation. This partnership breathed new life into the Spider-Man film franchise while consolidating the wider Marvel universe.
🔍 To find out more, read our full article on Spider-Man: Homecoming, the film that marks Spidey’s big return to Marvel.
🎭 On the merchandise side, this version inspired plenty of Spider-Man outfits for children and adults, very close to the suit worn by Tom Holland in the MCU. You can also complete your look with our Spider-Man masks faithful to the Disney-Marvel version.
📚 And if you want to explore how the character has evolved across every film universe, visit our pillar page on the story of Peter Parker through the ages.
Marvel Studios (Disney)
Can use Spider-Man in its films: Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame.
Sony Pictures
Still produces the solo films with Marvel as creative partner: Homecoming, Far From Home, No Way Home.
Sony’s counter-offensive: Venom, Morbius and the Spider-Verse universe
While Spider-Man is now part of the MCU thanks to Disney, Sony has never dropped its ambition to build its own Marvel universe. Alongside the partnership with Disney, Sony Pictures therefore launches its own ‘Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’ (SSU), built around the web-slinger’s supporting characters and enemies… but without Spider-Man himself at first.
It all starts with Venom (2018), a risky bet without Peter Parker, but one that meets huge commercial success. Audiences take to Eddie Brock and his symbiote. Sony follows up with:
🎥 Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage (2021). 🧛♂️ Morbius (2022), which despite the reviews becomes a cult meme (‘It’s Morbin’ Time’). 🕷️ The development of projects around Kraven the Hunter, Madame Web and El Muerto.
But it is with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)arachnid multiverse.
📚 Want to get your head around every iteration of the web-slinger? Do not miss our article Spider-Verse: every version of Spider-Man and find out how Sony played the diversity card so well.
1
Venom (2018) A risky bet without Peter Parker that meets huge commercial success.
2
Venom 2 (2021) Let There Be Carnage extends the universe built around Eddie Brock and his symbiote.
3
Morbius (2022) Despite the reviews, the film becomes a cult meme.
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Next projects Development around Kraven the Hunter, Madame Web and El Muerto.
What future for Spider-Man between Sony, Disney and Marvel?
With several sagas running in parallel, Spider-Man now sits in a situation unique in the world: he is at once an MCU hero (Disney/Marvel) and a central figure in the Sony universe. This coexistence, sometimes shaky, is nonetheless full of opportunities for fans and studios alike.
The success of the multiverse in No Way Home and in the animated Spider-Verse proved that several versions of the character could coexist without confusion. The result: audiences are happy to see several Spider-Men at the same time, each with its own look, its own mythology, its own stakes.
The next challenge? The continuation of the Sony / Marvel Studios partnership, still fragile. A new film with Tom Holland is in the works, but Spidey’s future remains to be settled. Are we heading for a complete merger of the universes? A handover to Miles Morales in live action? Or a definitive split?
Whatever happens, Spider-Man will stay at the centre of attention, because more than ever he embodies the key to the balance between the Marvel universes.
If you want to become your own Spider-Man, classic or multiverse, discover our Spider-Man slippers collection, perfect for living the universe to the full, even at home.
