Morbiuswas the third film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, following in the footsteps of Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Released in 2022, the movie was directed by Daniel Espinosa from a screenplay by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, and it tells the origin of Doctor Michael Morbius turning into the titular Living Vampire, a relatively well-known Spider-Man villain. Like most of the movies in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, Morbius was poorly received upon release, and the movie positioned Morbius as an anti-hero rather than a full-blown villain. 614s2y

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was initially envisioned as a brand-new cinematic universe full of Spider-Man villains that would eventually include Spider-Man himself, and Morbius was one of those films, exploring the titular character's origins. Featuring Jared Leto as Morbius, the film was poorly received, and a sequel was put on the back burner as Sony focused on their other films in the universe; Venom: The Last Dance, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter, finishing up those films in 2024 before stepping back from developing anymore in 2025 and beyond.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe adapted a litany of great Marvel villains, but their respective threat levels deviate notably from the source material. While some characters in the SSU have been adapted faithfully, others have fallen short of their comic book counterparts significantly. This ranking focuses on their depictions within the SSU, assessing their threat levels based on their actions, abilities, and overall presence in the films, as opposed to how they would rank in the comics.

Despite its potential, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was plagued by questionable decisions that alienated audiences and undermined its success. From mishandling Marvel characters to missed opportunities, these missteps turned a promising concept into a cautionary tale of cinematic universe building. While the idea of expanding Spider-Man’s world seemed exciting on paper, its execution left much to be desired. It resulted in a fractured narrative and widespread disappointment, ultimately leading to the SSU's conclusion.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has been a divisive addition to the Marvel movie landscape, but it did produce some effective features. From compelling character relationships to awe-inspiring action sequences, Sony has managed to get several things right, adding unique layers to Spider-Man’s extended mythology. By exploring Spider-Man’s universe from alternative angles, these films provide fresh narratives that enrich the lore surrounding the web-slinger’s world.

Sony's Spider-Man Universe has provided audiences with a mix of exciting action and moments of cringe-worthy dialogue. While the Marvel movie franchise had a lot of potential, certain lines from its characters have become infamous for their awkwardness, forced delivery, and lack of emotional resonance. Many of these became internet memes, lampooning the SSU’s clunky exposition and unsuccessful attempts at humor. Now that the SSU has concluded, the very worst lines have become a fascinating insight into the franchise’s downfall.

Despite the franchise’s rather rocky history, I’m actually disappointed that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has ended because I think its best was still to come. After years of teasing epic Marvel storylines and gradually assembling pieces for larger-than-life narratives, the SSU ended just as it began laying the groundwork for its two most promising stories. This untimely demise leaves me wondering what could have been, especially since the franchise seemed on the verge of its most exciting chapters.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universeintroduced some classic Marvel characters but completely squandered some iconic allies and adversaries. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has offered its own take on the world of Spider-Man and its adjacent characters, aiming to build a cinematic universe populated by iconic villains, anti-heroes, and ing characters. Despite some standout moments, the SSU has been riddled with missed opportunities, especially in how it handles some of its most compelling characters.

Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Kraven the Hunter.

Sony has had some trouble connecting with fans and critics for its new Spider-Man universe, but not all of the films have been box-office flops.