Sony's Sony's Spider-Man Universe collapsing. Unsurprisingly, this means that anticipation for the threequel is at a fever pitch as fans clamor for updates on its release date.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was released in 2023, which isn't that long ago in the grand scheme of superhero movie release schedules. Nevertheless, fans were teased with a 2024 release date early in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse's production, which has since been postponed. While I'm not shocked that the sequel's release date is taking a substantial amount of time to make, frustration is rooted in the lack of clarity, as no replacement release date has thus far been announced. The latest update, meanwhile, threatens to intensify frustration further.

Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse's Newest Report Means It's Unlikely To Release Before 2026

Sony Has Ruled Out A 2025 Release Date

A recent report by Deadline has revealed that Sony does not plan to release Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse in 2025. With the dissolution of Sony's Spider-Man Universe after Kraven the Hunter, next year is particularly bereft of Spider-Man and Spider-Man-adjacent characters. Over in the MCU, Sony's Spider-Man Universe movies: Madame Web, Venom: The Last Dance, and Kraven the Hunter.

Spider-Man 4 will be released after the first Avengers movie since 2019, Avengers: Doomsday.

It's worth noting that this is no confirmation that Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse will be released in 2026, either. While we can certainly estimate based on recent revelations about the production schedule, the filmmakers have been adamant about releasing the movie when it's ready. This is, after all, an award-winning Marvel franchise that earns acclaim for its painstakingly rendered animation style. Ultimately, while it pains me to think that Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse may take more than two years to be released, I think this is worth feeling hopeful about.

I'm Sad It Looks Like We're Going To Have To Wait Longer For Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse, But I'd Rather Have It Later Than Now & Worse

Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse Needs Time To Perfect

I'm quite encouraged by the news that Sony is taking its time with its newest movie. It’s no secret that delayed release schedules can indicate issues, as exemplified by Sony's Kraven the Hunter, which experienced several release date delays and was ultimately skewered by critics. Nevertheless, the past suggests that the opposite is true for Sony's Spider-Verse franchise. With the bar now being so high, I'd much prefer that Sony Pictures Animation spends as much time as needed to iron out the kinks and ensure Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is a worthy conclusion to the trilogy.

While recent developments about Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse have revealed that some voice actors have already been recording their lines, the franchise's unique blend of animation takes time. I worry that the threequel would lose too much luster should Sony have chosen to release it promptly. While I'm sure a guaranteed win with its celebrated animated movies is especially tempting after suffering a significant blow with Kraven the Hunter, I respect Sony's decision to take a more measured approach. Besides, it isn't as if the move is unprecedented.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse's Release Date Always Teased We'd Have A Long Wait For Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Took Five Years To Make

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was released in 2018 to a dizzying level of acclaim, raking in several awards including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse threatened to imitate that success with an Oscars nod of its own, though it stopped short of the win. Still, the almost identical level of acclaim seemingly came after a substantial development process, as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was released five years after its prequel in 2023. If Sony Pictures Animation follows a similar schedule with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, we could be in for a long wait yet.

While I'm obviously encouraged by this notion, I stand by the fact that I'd much rather see Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse stick the superhero landing late than fumble it as early as 2025.

Several factors hint that this will not be the case, however. A report that suggested Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse suffered an overhaul that pushed its release date back to 2027 was discredited by the filmmakers themselves, suggesting that they plan to release it sooner. While I'm obviously encouraged by this notion, I stand by the fact that I'd much rather see Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse stick the superhero landing late than fumble it as early as 2025.

MCU Movies

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  Captain America: Brave New World

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  Thunderbolts*

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

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Source: Deadline