Spider-Man Spinoff ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Flops Harder Than ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Morbius’

Sony’s Kraven the Hunter has officially joined the ranks of superhero box office bombs. Despite its connection to the Spider-Man universe and a major marketing push, the Aaron Taylor-Johnson-led film opened to an abysmal $11 million domestically, marking one of the worst premieres for a Marvel-adjacent property in recent years.

But where does Kraven the Hunter stand in the pantheon of failed superhero movies? Let’s break down its disastrous performance, how it compares to other recent Sony misfires like Madame Web and Morbius, and what this could mean for superhero fatigue.

Kraven the Hunter: A Box Office Breakdown

Released on December 13, 2024, Kraven the Hunter was supposed to bring Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) a grittier, darker edge. Instead, the film grossed just $11 million in its opening weekend, far below initial projections. With a reported production budget between $110–130 million, the film is poised to lose a significant amount for Sony Pictures.

Critics didn’t hold back either. With a dismal 14% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Kraven was panned for its thin plot, uninspired action sequences, and an inconsistent tone. Many reviewers called it one of the weakest entries in Sony’s universe of Spider-Man spin-offs.

As one critic from Variety noted, “Kraven the Hunter is proof that not every villain deserves a standalone movie.”

Madame Web: A Close Competitor in Failure

Earlier this year, Sony released Madame Web, starring Dakota Johnson. Like Kraven, it promised to expand the SSU with a new character but instead ended up as a critical and financial misfire.

• Box Office: $100.5 million worldwide (on a budget of $80–100 million).
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 11%

While Madame Web managed to limp past its production costs, it was largely seen as a failure due to its weak critical reception and underwhelming audience turnout. Emma Roberts, who co-starred, later blamed “internet culture” for ridiculing the film before it even hit theaters.

Morbius: The Meme-Worthy Misstep

Morbius (2022) serves as a cautionary tale for Sony’s attempts to capitalize on Spider-Man-adjacent characters. Starring Jared Leto, the film became infamous for its “It’s Morbin’ time” memes, but those ironic laughs didn’t translate to sustained box office success.

• Box Office: $167.5 million worldwide (on a budget of $75–83 million).
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 16%

Unlike Kraven, Morbius at least outperformed its production budget, but it remains a symbol of how Sony’s SSU struggles to build momentum outside of Spider-Man himself.

Where Kraven Ranks Among Superhero Flops

To put Kraven the Hunter’s failure into perspective, here are some of the biggest superhero box office bombs in history:

1. Fantastic Four (2015)
   • Box Office: $167 million worldwide (on a budget of $120 million).
   • Panned for its rushed storytelling and lack of cohesion, this reboot remains a cautionary tale.
2. Green Lantern (2011)
   • Box Office: $219 million worldwide (on a $200 million budget).
   • Despite a star-studded cast led by Ryan Reynolds, the film’s weak script and CGI disaster sealed its fate.
3. Dark Phoenix (2019)
   • Box Office: $252 million worldwide (on a budget of $200 million).
   • The film marked a lackluster end to Fox’s X-Men universe, with critics decrying its messy plot and uninspired action.
4. Morbius (2022)
   • Box Office: $167.5 million worldwide.
   • Became a meme, but memes don’t pay the bills.
5. Kraven the Hunter (2024)
   • Box Office (Opening): $11 million.
   • With numbers this low, Kraven risks falling into even more ignominious territory as the final grosses come in.

Superhero Fatigue or Sony Missteps?

The failure of Kraven the Hunter, Madame Web, and Morbius raises questions about Sony’s handling of Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery. While Spider-Man films like No Way Home and Across the Spider-Verse continue to succeed, spin-offs focusing on lesser-known villains have struggled to find an audience.

Some blame superhero fatigue, as audiences become oversaturated with comic book films. Others point to Sony’s storytelling, which seems disconnected from the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The Future of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe

Sony still has more Spider-Man-adjacent projects in the pipeline, including Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. The Venom films have been the lone bright spot, but Kraven’s failure may prompt Sony to rethink its strategy.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Is Kraven the Hunter the final nail in Sony’s Spider-Man spin-off coffin? Or is there still hope for these villain-led stories? Share your thoughts on social media and let us know which superhero flop takes the crown as the worst of all time.

Sources:

• The Wrap: Kraven the Hunter Box Office
• Variety: Box Office Report
• Business Insider: Rotten Tomatoes and Sony Marvel Films
• Collider: Madame Web Box Office and Criticism